May 2015

1 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

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No 485, May 2015 ❂ For the community, by the community

Editorial & Advertising: 9844 0555 Email: info@warrandytediary.com.au

INSIDE

Bear and the magical river sculpture

l Traffic chaos sends locals into a spin P3

l ANZAC Day 4-page liftout special P17

l Yvonne is our latest living treasure P24

LOCAL tongues were wagging – and obviously some tails – when another rock sculpture magically appeared in our Yarra River recently and Diary snapper Bill McAuley was there to capture it while “Bear” the dog was having a splash.

“Not there yesterday, but here today,” Billy reckons.

Perhaps the work of some river fairies who have

worked tirelessly throughout the night to balance the rocks with such elegant grace?

“The work is primordial and fantastic and seems to rise up from the rocky river bed just downstream from the hotel carpark. Evocative, beautiful, wild and free: the rock spire embodies the spirit of the river,” Billy says.

l Blood brothers in arms and winning P34

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“Winning at all costs is not really winning at all” — Jack Nicklaus

2 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

OVER THE HILLS

By JOCK MACNEISH

EDITOR: Scott Podmore, 9844 0555 PUBLISHER: Warrandyte Diary Pty Ltd (ACN 006 886 826 ABN 74 422 669 097) as trustee for the Warrandyte Arts and Education Trust POSTAL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 209, Warrandyte 3113 ADVERTISING & ACCOUNTS: Briony Bottarelli, 9844 0555 DIARY OFFICE: Community Centre, 168-178 Yarra Street, Warrandyte, 9844 0555 EMAIL ADDRESS: info@warrandytediary.com.au EMAIL SPORT: (Michael Di Petta) mikey_dipetta@hotmail.com WEBSITE: www.warrandytediary.com.au FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/warrandytediary PRODUCTION: Rachel Schroeder PRINTING: Streamline Press Pty Ltd, 155 Johnston Street, Fitzroy Published on or about the second Tuesday of each month (except January).

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NEXT ISSUE Next issue of the Diary will be published on Wednesday June 10, 2015. Advertising and editorial copy closes Friday May 29, 2015.

OUR NEWSPAPER The Warrandyte Diary was established in 1970 as a small local newsletter. Although it has developed over the years, it has retained its strong community character, being produced mostly by volunteers with only one aim: to serve its community. Financed solely through advertising, it guards its not-for-profit, non-commercial status and its independent voice. The Diary carries a strong editorial bias towards the people, environment and character of the place it serves. Its monthly circulation is 4000 copies and it is available in Warrandyte, North Warrandyte, South Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Wonga Park, Warranwood, North Ringwood, Kangaroo Ground and Research.

A SPECIAL PLACE Warrandyte (approximate population 8000) is situated on the Yarra River, some 27km from Melbourne. For countless ages a well-stocked hunting ground of the Wurundjeri people, in 1851 Warrandyte became the site of the first official gold discovery in Victoria. It soon established its character as a small, self-sustaining community set in a beautiful river valley.

Around 1900 the miners, orchardists and tradespeople were joined by a number of young painters who were founding the Australian nationalist arts tradition. Now a commuter suburb of Melbourne, the natural beauty, community spirit and sense of independence of Warrandyte has been largely retained. This newspaper is the voice and true expression of that spirit.

Lady Cattery’s liver living with The Trotts

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HE publisher leaned back on his chair and contemplated the trepidatious would-be novelist fidgeting on the other side of his desk.

“So Mr Trott,” he said. “Explain your plot to me once more.”

“Well,” began Neville, “it’s set in the sixties. The protagonist is a young tram-conductress called Connie. A bit of a hippie actually, who thinks everything and everyone is beautiful – flowers, possums, Crosby Stills & Nash – not to mention a handsome Eltham College graduate by the name of Clifford Catter y whose well-to-do family runs a chain of lucrative pet-minding operations.

Connie and Clifford date for several months till one evening, parked outside the RSL after a Bands by the Bridge gig, Cliff proposes they take their relationship to a different level. He has a surprise for her and Connie is clearly taken aback with the size of it.

“Ruby Tuesday ordered this little beauty in specially,” says Clifford, slipping the ring over her dainty finger.

But no sooner have they moved into their mansion in Oakland Drive complete with four car garage, infinity pool and manege, than Cliffy’s marble comes up and he’s sent to Vietnam.

“Never fear my love, we’ll soon give those commies what for,” he assures his bride, but what actually happens is he

steps on a mine in Pho Bo and is shipped home with nothing working below the waist (a common literary device as viewers of Downton Abbey will be well aware given the tragic case of Matthew Crawley).

Physically and emotionally shattered, Cliff seeks solace among his writerly friends from the Warrandyte Diary and throws himself into the mining industry, ultimately becoming a controversial rogue senator in the Upper House.

Lady Cattery, for her part, takes solace in her garden, in which she is supported by Mellors, a dashing Jim’s franchisee whose rakish beard and little green trailer make him a popular figure at the community garden in Forbes Street. When not discussing pH levels and curly leaf, Connie and Mellors often cross

paths along the riverpath till things inevitably turn carnal in the scoreboard box on the far wing of the football oval. Thus begin many happy hours in the potting shed as their passions move beyond succulents and herbaceous borders.

The inevitable happens when we learn Connie is expecting a baby franchisee.

This displeases the vindictive Mrs. Jim who turns up while Connie is away preparing for the annual gymkhana at Portsea, and Mellors is banished from the Cattery estate, leaving the asparagus crop at serious risk.

The tale ends with Mellors waiting for his divorce, Connie chopping liver at feeding time at her sister’s Moggies & Doggies facility, and the unresolved question of whether the two lovers will ever cross-fertilise again.

“My reservations,” sighed the publisher, “are not about the explicit eroticism of the text, nor the inappropriate use of vegetables. The problem is nothing less than plagiarism.

Have you never heard, Mr. Trott, of D. H. Lawrence?”

“Was he from Arabia?” asked Neville.

“Not from Arabia, no, but he did pen a story remarkably similar to yours, right down to the names of the principal characters!”

“Someone else wrote a book about a tram-conductress?”

So it was that Neville returned home with a rejected manuscript under his arm and a dejected expression on his face.

“Not good news then?” said Narelle.

“I’m afraid not,” said Neville. “D. H. Lawrence stole my story.”

ALAN CORNELL

3 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Traffic gridlock

Small bridge, big problems

By EMMA CARINCI

THE traffic congestion at Warrandyte Bridge has been a growing point of contention for Warrandyte locals with queues of cars often backed up for a few kilometres during peak hours.

The daily commute is becoming unbearable for many, causing frustration and concerns over residents’ safety in emergency situations.

The increasing outrage prompted North Warrandyte resident Jennie Hill to create the Fix the Warrandyte Bottleneck Facebook group in April last year. The page aims to encourage discussion about the congestion on the bridge, which continues on Yarra St, and find solutions. At this stage, reaching consensus is proving difficult.

“We can’t agree with the community on exactly what should be done to solve the problem so we can’t find a solution,” Ms Hill said.

With much discussion unfolding on the Fix the Warrandyte Bottleneck and Warrandyte Diary Facebook pages, residents are determined to find a solution. Suggestions include the installation of traffic lights (operating at peak times) at the roundabout of the bridge intersection, encouraging use of public buses, and widening of the bridge and/or building another bridge.

While many solutions seem plausible, opinion is divided. Some residents believe installing traffic lights is logical while others believe that common courtesy and giving way is more efficient. Construction of another bridge along the Yarra River in Warrandyte also seems a solution for some, but others may view it as an eyesore, not only damaging the character of Warrandyte but encouraging more traffic to pass through the quaint suburb.

Many locals are especially upset the traffic is not Warrandyte residents but from those living in surrounding suburbs. There is speculation the development of housing estates in areas such as South Morang, Epping and Whittlesea has created more traffic moving towards the city or down south.

“The traffic is not all local. I believe it’s from the growth areas around Doreen and Yan Yean looking for a way to go south without using the toll road. I also believe it is getting worse!” Lisa Upson commented on the Diary’s Facebook page.

The City of Whittlesea, which includes the suburbs of South Morang, Epping and Whittlesea, is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Australia.

According to population experts, forecast.id, the population of the City of Whittlesea is set to increase by almost 40,000 by 2020, indicating congestion is unlikely to ease in the future.

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Snail’s pace: Jennie Hill stands near the Warrandyte bridge bottleneck during the school drop-off peak. “You can’t put the genie back in the bottle. We can’t go back to ‘old’ Warrandyte. The traffic is here and it’s only going to get worse. We need to stop complaining and find a solution.” Photo: LARA McKINLEY

Resident Dori Jennings said her son had missed his connecting bus to school on several occasions because the first bus takes almost half an hour just to travel from Pigeon Bank Road to the IGA on Warrandyte Road about 4km.

Although the excessive traffic congestion is inconvenient and causing patience to wear thin, concerns surrounding emergency management are not being dismissed. Warrandyte is listed as one of 52 high fire risk locations in Victoria, according to the CFA. Along with narrow roads and numerous dead ends, the bridge congestion is another factor contributing to Warrandyte’s access issues.

In the event of a bushfire, a mass evacuation may become a critical problem as the bridge is the only one out of Warrandyte.

“It’s only a matter of time before it’s a matter of life and death. How

After Mr Smith took Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley to see the congestion, Mr Lapsley immediately initiated discussions with VicRoads and local councils to install Disaster Plan (Displan) boxes at both ends of the bridge.

The Displan boxes were installed in late 2014 and contain emergency equipment to assist with traffic in the event of an emergency.

“Our No.1 concern during an emergency is the safe evacuation of people,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said he contacted the Minister for Roads and Road Safety in December last year but there has not been any more progress on the matter; the minister has reiterated that VicRoads would continue to work with the Warrandyte community on local traffic management issues.

According to VicRoads metro

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north-west regional director Adam Maguire, VicRoads is working with the CFA and Melbourne Water to look at water access and supply for fire brigades and is also investigating a range of options for this Yarra River crossing, including the construction of a second bridge or the widening of the existing bridge.

Mr Maguire said funding for these activities would be considered.

Although no plans are final, Mr Smith is determined to find a resolution for the community.

“I will continue to hold the Andrews government to account on this matter and to push for the study that was started last year to continue so that a workable solution can be found.”

To have your say or to read more about it, join the Fix the Warrandyte Bottleneck page on Facebook and keep an eye on the Diary Facebook page for more updates.

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do emergency vehicles get through traffic congestion in an emergency let alone bushfire situations?” Jade Shoppee commented on the Diary’s Facebook page.

Ms Hall acknowledges opinions are varied because of residents’ needs and proximity to the bridge, however, she maintains the foremost issue for everyone should be the preservation of life in the event of an emergency.

“The argument has to be turned around. People cannot look at it from the perspective of what is going to benefit them most but instead look at what’s important and what can potentially save lives ... it’s about preserving lives and not just a matter of personal preferences.”

Member for Warrandyte Ryan Smith has been seeking action on the matter from the Andrews government for some time.

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4 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Big, red and ugly

Residents unhappy with unsightly new neighbour

By VAL POLLEY

A LARGE, bright red shipping container was placed on a vacant block of land in Pound Road, close to its junction with Everard Drive, to the surprise of locals recently.

Pound Rd and Hutchinson Ave residents reacted strongly to the large, bulky visual intrusion into their bush landscape and sought clarification as to its legality from relevant officers at Manningham council.

The major concern was that it created an undesirable precedent that could see more of these unsightly items being dumped in Warrandyte.

The container is visible from many places in the vicinity and appears totally at odds with the stringent planning requirements placed on the local area. The block falls within the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and is covered by Design and Development DDO3 and Environmental Significance Overlay ESO5. The key goals are to maintain and enhance the special bushland and low-density character of the Warrandyte township and maintain the vegetation-dominated vistas and bushland character.

The block also overlooks a scenic stretch of the Yarra River and the historic Pound Bend Tunnel area as well as many areas of Warrandyte State Park. The container is highly visible and given the sensitive location, it is hard to envisage a more inappropriate location.

The residents feel no amount of screening or camouflage would make the container acceptable in this location.

Following their representations, the residents were advised by Michael van Oosterwijck, Manningham council’s environmental investigations officer that “council has recently attended the site and is taking appropriate steps to have the shipping container removed from the land”.

He further advised that Manningham does not have anything in its local law regarding the placement of shipping containers. However, in this case, as its use as a store with no dwelling on the land is prohibited under the Manningham Planning Scheme, its removal is being sought.

It does beg the question though: what if the owners can argue a legitimate use (not a store) and does the lack of a local law mean anyone can have a container? Council’s Local Laws Unit responded further

Do we have drug problems?

By MICHELLE PINI

to this point advising that shipping containers on land can be dealt with by the local law under the “unsightly property” provisions.

In conversation with resident Nick Robinson, the mayor Cr Paul McLeish expressed concern that this

could happen and that the by-laws don’t prevent it. He said it was a challenge for the council to take up and the sort of issue that they are here to resolve. The residents are hopeful their large red neighbour will soon be removed and would

like to see council introduce a Local Law governing the placement of such containers.

It is a sensitive issue that requires resolution.

At the time the Diary went to press the container was still there.

Celebrating our history FROM the earliest days of the Wurundjeri people through to our gold mining and orcharding past, Warrandyte and surrounds has a fascinating and diverse heritage.

The Manningham Heritage Festival 2015 is running until May 24 during the National Trust Heritage Festival and is the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to explore and experience our regional history.

The theme of this year’s National Trust Heritage Festival is Conflict and Compassion, exploring the human side of war through the extraordinary stories of courage and compassion and paying tribute to the 100-year anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.

A highlight of the Manningham Heritage Festival has already been Warrandyte Historical Society’s Exhibition: War and Warrandyte

1914-1918, which ended last week.

Other highlights a bit further afield include: Life in Manningham 100 Years Ago, Sunday May 17 and 24 from 2pm to 5pm at Schramms Cottage, an exhibition of photographs of businesses that existed along Doncaster Road, together with maps showing the location of the family orchards in the district around 1914 – 1918, and Journeys Across Manningham – Heritage

Bus Tour on May 13 from Noon to 2.30pm and May 17 and 23 from 2pm to 4.30pm, meet at Old Shire Hall, Doncaster.

Manningham City Council’s heritage advisor Willys Keeble will conduct a tour of historic places and points of interest along traditional riverside and ridgeline routes.

For the full Manningham Heritage Festival program: www.manning ham.vic.gov.au/heritage

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A LARGE drug bust in Warrandyte and conviction of a local man late last year has shone a spotlight on whether there is a local drug problem, a hot topic of debate among residents recently.

Richard James Pollard, 32, of Warrandyte, was found guilty of commercial trafficking and sentenced in the County Court to 11 years jail with a non-parole period of seven years, four months in October last year.

The court heard Pollard trafficked a range of illegal drugs via the website Silk Road and distributed them by express post, including MDMA, ice, cocaine, ketamine and other assorted substances in what Judge Paul Lacava described as a “sophisticated drug-trafficking business”.

Pollard’s assets, including tens of millions of dollars in the electronic currency of bitcoins, were also seized by police. Pending appeals, it is believed these will be sold and monies raised will be directed to the state’s consolidated fund, which is used for recouping costs and issuing compensation to victims of crime by the Department of Justice.

According to Sergeant Henderson of Warrandyte Police “drugs are a problem everywhere, but we don’t see a large aspect of drug-taking and drug-dealing here”.

Sgt Henderson, who has also worked in inner-city areas, told the Diary that problems associated with alcohol and teenage binge drinking constituted a bigger local issue, and while illicit drugs are readily available throughout Melbourne, Warrandyte is relatively drug-free and “does not have a deeply-rooted drug issue”.

Sergeant Henderson attributes Warrandyte’s active sports club culture as being responsible for the town’s ability to remain largely unaffected by the ice epidemic faced by other Melbourne suburbs.

His advice for parents is: “Avoid the big divide – keep open lines of communication, without judgement, with your kids.” At the same time, he said it was not advisable to be friends with your teenage children, “You need to remain vigilant and aware of symptoms of drug-use as well as the company kids keep.”

What are your thoughts? Does Warrandyte have a drug problem? Join in the poll online at www.warrandytediary.com.au

5 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Who you gonna call?

Our intrepid investigator DAVID “Hoggy” HOGG digs up some more observations on the whole phone line, internet connection and NBN drama.

FOLLOWING our recent articles about phone connections and internet we have had a mixed bag of feedback, mostly relating to slow internet connections but also concerning the difficulty new users have in getting an internet connection at all.

There is clearly a good deal of misinformation in the community about the availability of ADSL broadband in Warrandyte and much of this is the fault of the service providers themselves.

Telstra has plenty of spare capacity of ADSL2+ ports, over 200 of them at the time of writing, available at the Warrandyte exchange. So if you are on the Warrandyte telephone exchange (9844) you can get a reasonable ADSL broadband connection.

Research exchange (9437) has only two spare ADSL2+ ports at the time the Diary went to print but plenty of ADSL1 ports. The Kangaroo Ground (9712) exchange has no spare capacity at all, so new users in that area will have to look to wireless as a solution.

A discussion thread on the Warrandyte Community and Business Group on Facebook has several posts bemoaning the lack of ADSL in Warrandyte from all ser vice providers including Telstra, and I can only assume that the original complainant is on the Kangaroo Ground exchange, in which case the complaint would be valid.

Another very valid complaint is that ISPs and their help desks will happily confirm that “ADSL is available in your area” and take your order, then later advise that there is no port availability and you are on a waiting list.

The problem arises more with the non-Telstra ISPs. They have the option of putting their own ADSL equipment into Telstra’s exchanges, or of renting ports at wholesale prices

from Telstra and reselling them. TPG appears to be the only non-Telstra ISP who actually has equipment installed in the Warrandyte exchange.

The other ISPs will either tell you that there are no ADSL ports at Warrandyte (Optus) because they don’t have any of their own equipment there or tell you that there are no ADSL2+ ports but they do have slow ADSL1 ports available (because they can rent these from Telstra Wholesale at prices which enable them to make a profit, whereas the ADSL2+ ports are too expensive for them). iiNet get over this problem by offering you a “Turbo Boost” facility at an extra $10 per month above their advertised price, which they explain as a physical booster box at the exchange but we believe to be simply a transfer to a standard Telstra ADSL2+ port.

Slow internet speeds are invariably a result of being too far from the exchange, or have some sort of fault on the line. At 4km away you will only get 4 Mbit/sec on ADSL2+ and 1M bit/ sec on ADSL1.

A good site for checking your speed is http://www.speedtest.net.

If you get less than this, call your ISP and report a fault. If they can’t resolve it, please let us know.

One user in Research Rd has switched from TPG to Telstra with considerable delay and difficulty in getting the new system going.

This has also highlighted another problem. If your email address is provided by your ISP and you change suppliers, then you have to change your email address. For this reason many users prefer to have an independent email address such as those provided by Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo.

Apart from the inconvenience of having to notify everyone of your

new address, the complication arises that even though you have closed your account with your old ISP, your old mailbox usually remains active.

So people who send mail to your old address don’t receive it back as being invalid. After a few months the old mailbox gets full and only then do your correspondents receive a bounce message “Mailbox full”. Perhaps you should retrieve mail from both mailboxes for a limited period, or ask the previous ISP to disable your old mailbox.

The Diar y has facilitated two investigations of instances of unreasonably slow speed. iiNet will be sending a Telstra technician to check out a speed of 1 Mbit/sec in Tills Drive on ADSL1, and Telstra will be checking out a speed of 2.9 Mbit/ sec on ADSL2+ in Research Rd from the Research exchange. Thanks to the readers in question for providing this feedback and we hope for a favourable improvement.

We have advised another user in Bradleys Lane on ADSL2+ with Telstra and getting download speeds of 1.5 Mbit/sec to lodge a fault with Telstra. We will advise the results of these investigations in a future issue.

Feedback on telephone matters has highlighted two recent problems, one in the Brackenbury St area and the other in Hawkes Rd. These were eventually traced to cable and junction faults and we believe have been rectified. However a number of people have been in touch in recent days over intermittent speed slowdowns and faults in Brackenbury St, so this may be more widespread.

We will continue to monitor and provide an update in the Diary.

It has been suggested Warrandyte residents should lobby their parliamentary representatives to put a case for expediting the roll-out of the NBN to Warrandyte, which unofficially appears to be up to six years away. When the NBN is available, we should all get a basic speed of 12 Mbit/sec, with options to pay extra for 25, 50 and 100 Mbit/sec.

My own view, and that of other local technicians, is that Warrandyte is relatively well served for ADSL broadband in comparison with many country areas and that such representations might fall on deaf ears.

It is concerning that Warrandyte residents are still falling for a number of prevalent internet scams: • You receive a telephone call from an operator usually with a foreign accent claiming to be from Telstra or Microsoft, advising that your computer has a virus, is causing problems on the internet, is dangerous and needs to be fixed immediately.

They will have you download a program that gives them control of your computer, look at various inconsequential files, tell you these are

bad viruses and request your credit card details as it will cost a sum of money (perhaps $99) for them to fix.

Never give these people the time of day. There is nothing wrong with your computer.

• You receive an email purporting to be from your bank or internet provider telling you that your account is being suspended and to prevent this you need to log in to your account using a link on that page. If you click on the link it provides a copy of your bank’s login page, but the information you provide goes to a scammer overseas who can then log in to your account in Australia. Never click on such links. Your bank will never send such emails.

• You receive an email, usually headed “Order Verification”, purporting to be from a store you deal with or from eBay advising that your order cannot be despatched until your identity has been verified. You are asked to send a scanned copy of your drivers licence, a recent utility bill, or other personal documents by “replying” to the email and attaching this proof. Needless to say the “reply” address on the email is not that of your store, and the information goes to someone who will steal or on-sell your identity.

• And finally to those who really believe that they have won a lottery they never entered or have been specially selected to move $20 million from the late Sultan Abu Ben FleeceMe through their bank account.

Well you need to know that if you follow this up you’ll be asked for bank details and a signature, and that this signature will then be used to forge documents in your name.

More feedback is welcome. Please feel free to contact me via email at davidhogg99@bigpond.com

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6 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Be Ready winds down

By CHERIE MOSELEN

BE Ready Warrandyte, the community-driven campaign assisting residents in living with bushfire risk, is coming to a close.

A Warrandyte Community Association initiative that gained significant momentum following the 2009 Black Saturday Fires, the aim of BRW was to ensure every household in the Greater Warrandyte area had an effective bushfire plan.

The campaign formally began on June 1 2012 under the auspices of a Victorian Government Fire Ready Communities Grant.

Additional sponsorship from Manningham and Nillumbik councils, Warrandyte Community Bank Community Fund and the Warrandyte Community Market Committee enabled the campaign to continue its work over three years. However, further funding (sought under the Federal Natural Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme and the Victorian Resilient Community Programme), has been unsuccessful and the campaign will end in June.

The project management committee consisted of WCA members, local Community Fire Guard Leaders, regional and volunteer CFA officers and local Government Emergency Management Officers. Other members of the community and emergency services with specialist skills were co-opted as needed.

Leading into the campaign, Community Fireguard leaders believed only 5% of local households had an effective strategy for dealing with bushfire danger.

BRW’s 2012 Warrandyte survey also revealed community preparedness to be low. It prompted a broad range of activities: WEBSITE: warrandyte.org.au/fire, developed with Facebook and Twitter sites, has been well populated with information, including a unique Warrandyte Fire Watch app.

FORUMS: Community leaders forum discussed involvement of other Warrandyte groups. Meetings with neighbouring communities discussed the sharing of programmes and information. BRW also liaised with local businesses in fire preparation activities.

FIRE PLANS: A sample fire plan for a typical Warrandyte family, which has been recently updated with interactive pro-forma plans for four different situations, was developed.

VIDEO: Light-hearted video Do you have a Fire Plan? went viral and has been taken up by several other local CFA communities and distributed throughout the state by the CFA. The NSW Rural Fire Service is using the

Great success: Dick Davies at a recent forum as part of the Be Ready Warrandyte project.

RUTH BIRCH

Locals urged to be on the lookout POLICE are asking residents to be on the lookout following a spate of house burglaries, most of which are being carried out between 4pm and 9pm when owners aren’t home.

The locations of houses broken into in the Warrandyte area include Pygmalion Rise, Clematis Court and Beaufort Rise. Alarm systems were tampered with before cash and jewellery were stolen.

THE Coles Express Service Station in South Warrandyte has been targeted by thieves on three occasions over a four week period. On each occasion the theives broke in at about 4am when the premises were closed. The front doors were forced and cigarettes stolen. video as a training tool.

MEDIA: A range of informative pamphlets and other media was produced as part of a constant awareness raising publicity campaign. BRW has featured on commercial and ABC Radio and Channel 10 news, as well as in the Age and all local media.

PUBLIC MEETINGS: A well attended Bunkers or Bunkum? forum with CSIRO was followed up by two successful local fire bunker tours, and three well attended bushfire scenario planning events with local emergency services personnel.

STATE SERVICES: Liaisons built with local and State Emergency Services and Emergency Management Victoria on community fire issues.

BRW was invited to participate in state government workshops on fire related issues.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT : BRW formally reported back to local councils, who were very supportive.

CONFERENCES: A keynote presentation was given at the 2013 CFA Community Engagement & Fire Awareness Forum. Be Ready Warrandyte! was a hit at the Australian Community Engagement and Fire Awareness Conference in May 2014, a national event hosted by the Rural Fire Service, NSW. “The overall response to our campaign has been hugely gratifying,” WCA president and BRW chair Dick

Davies said. “Qualitative data would suggest many more residents now have an effective fire plan and a significant number of community members have awareness around the issue. That’s a far cry from where we started.”

Dick told the Diary, the ability of the community to work with emergency services and local government on a constructive program was a huge tribute to Warrandyte and said the “creative energy” of the community had helped make the campaign a success.

BRW won three Fire Awareness Awards in 2013, including the overall RACV Award for Excellence, and received a High Commendation in the 2013 Resilient Australia Awards.

South Warrandyte brigade captain Greg Kennedy told the Diary he believed BRW has been “monumentally successful”.

“From a CFA perspective, we tried to have one brigade captain at each meeting to add the reality of fire fighting into discussions,” Greg said.

“When BRW started, community preparedness around bushfire safety was very low but Warrandyte is a community that will take on issues and it is prepared to listen. I think this campaign has had a big impact locally.”

Looking back at what went well, an emergency services officer who attended many BRW committee

meetings said the campaign “had made the most of working with existing networks”. He also commented on its capacity for frank and open discussion, pointing to “a change in dynamics when government and agencies are invited guests at a community event” rather than the event organisers.

As to how the campaign might have been improved, Dick said: “Our committee was short on younger people.

However, Warrandyte High School at least has included fire-preparedness videos as part of its VCE program.”

So, will residents hear the familiar catchcry “Be ready Warrandyte!” in future?

“While I’m confident awareness in Warrandyte has improved, research into preparedness indicates that 60% of the national population is either ill-prepared or in denial about the dangers of living with bushfire risk, so there is still work to be done,” Dick said.

“Three years has probably been long enough for this campaign. We don’t want people to get message fatigue.

“But we also don’t want the message to dissipate. But yes, I’m confident the WCA could gear up the campaign again if needed.”

The BRW website will remain active and can be accessed at: warrandyte.org.au/fire

ON the evening of Saturday April 4, police were patrolling Colman Reserve in South Warrandyte where they arrested a 26-year-old male from Warranwood for possession of cannabis. Later that evening a group of five males were spoken to by police at Domeney Reserve in Park Orchards where a small amount of cannabis was seized.

An 18-year-old male from Park Orchards was arrested for drug possession.

SOME time between April 7 and 9 an unknown offender entered a shed on a property on Glen Park Drive in Wonga Park where a Ryobi whipper snipper was stolen.

AT about 12.30am on Wednesday April 29, three males attempted to steal money from the cash change machine at the Heidelberg-Warrandyte Rd car wash. Significant damage was caused to the inside of the machine. This incident has been caught on CCTV and police are reviewing the footage.

Police urge residents to call 000 immediately to report suspicious activity.

A weekend of song for Bellbirds THE ANZAC weekend was a memorable one for the Bellbird Singers who had “the honour” of singing at the ANZAC Day service at Stiggants Reserve.

The team performed songs of sorrow, but songs that were “full of respect for those who fought to maintain our freedom”, according to Bellbird and the Diary’s Briony Bottarelli.

“We were in the wonderful position of being able to view the entire service, to see, as the sun rose, more than 1000 Warrandyte residents who made the effort to

come along to the dawn service,” Briony said.

“We viewed the magnificent wreaths as they were laid and heard the birds awakening to what must have seemed to them a longer than normal day.

“At times the twittering became very strong competition for our voices.”

The next day, the Bellbird Singers also performed at the Warrandyte Uniting Church to help celebrate the opening of a peace labyrinth and community interactive space.

7 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Truck-load of kindness

By MICHELLE PINI

LIVING and interacting in Warrandyte, most of us become aware of its special hold: an indefinable essence long recognised by the Wurundjeri people and often inadequately described as “a sense of community”.

Occasionally, people come and go without connecting or feeling its embrace, but for the majority Warrandyte reaches out and gets in our blood. In this place, special things happen.

Some time back Warrandyte’s Tiffany Black (right) made a unique connection with a family who had moved into a neighbouring suburb.

Through gentle coaxing, she determined they had escaped intolerable circumstances and although embarking on a new life they were doing it hard.

“My heart sank and though I barely knew them, I couldn’t get the family out of my mind,” says Tiffany.

She came home with the intention of looking through her house to see what items her own family could part with. As she mulled over the fact that these neighbours slept on a mattress that doubled as a couch in the living room, had only a rented fridge, TV and washing machine and a dilapidated table purchased on eBay, Tiffany reached out to Warrandyte for help.

Her post on Facebook identified only that the family were in need and that the mother “liked to bake but had no utensils”.

It started with this: “Just testing the water to see what we can do to help. I’ve recently come to know of a family that has moved from Qld. It was a desperate situation and they had to leave in a hurry … I now know they are living with nothing. This makes me terribly sad. Maybe we can help?”

h

t 100

LIVE

Big love from under the umbrella

And Warrandyte delivered.

Immediately so many items were offered that Tiffany began to catalogue them, reporting progress on Facebook and identifying things that had not yet been donated as the offers poured in.

She also posted photos acknowledging each person’s generosity.

The Warrandyte community, without knowing this family, or even the details of their predicament, provided an entire household: a fridge, dishwasher, TV with cabinet, coffee table, beds and bedding.

There were complete dinner sets, glassware, cooking implements, a full spice rack, washing basket complete with detergent and cleaning products, a hooded barbeque,

BOOK

supermarket vouchers and so many baking supplies.

“I was blown away,” says Tiffany.

“People bought brand new items and donated stuff they were using in their homes.

“There was an X-Box, a Wii, bikes and new clothes for the children, perfume and handbags, beautiful linen, colour coordinated cushions and lamps – it was like winning Tattslotto.”

Tiffany, together with husband Andy and children Chelsea 15, Caleb 10 and Erin 8, set to work putting in finishing touches, like sanding back a coffee table and adding missing bits and pieces.

Borrowing a truck from her brother-in-law (which she describes as “a big black truck full of kindness”), Tiffany delivered enough gifts to fill an entire home.

The family in need were unaware of the goings-on.

“We tooted the horn … the mum just stood on her front lawn, crying,” Tiffany says.

“To see the looks on their faces – it was indescribable, overwhelming and very emotional for us all.”

Tiffany insists she “didn’t do much” and says she is sure this amazing community effort would not have happened anywhere else. “[In Warrandyte], people aren’t so concerned with just themselves, they are engaged and make things happen,” she says.

NEW

LIVE

Men with a mission: Warrandyte’s Sean Ramak (far right) with The Big Umbrella founder and CEO Justin Dickinson and fellow volunteers Mac and Neil before flying out to Nepal to provide 200kg of emergency supplies to those affected by the recent earthquake.

WARRANDYTE and surrounding suburbs can certainly be proud of one thing – we are charitable, as demonstrated time and time again whether it be Tiffany Black leading the charge for a family in need, the Blackwood 8 from Park Orchards contributing every year to fund brain cancer research, or the community coming together to raise much needed funds for our local CFA with a big Fireball. And there are plenty more.

Sometimes, however, others fly under the radar like Sean Ramak and Nicole Gangell, a Warrandyte couple who volunteer for a Melbourne-based organisation called The Big Umbrella. Every Wednesday and Thursday night the thoughtful pair “help feed our friends (the homeless and marginalised people of Melbourne) on the steps of Flinders Street station”.

“Another big part of our or-

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ganisation is our house in Nepal for the street kids there,” Nicole told the Diary. “Obviously with all that is happening in Nepal at the minute it has impacted on us and our house.”

Being a part of The Big Umbrella obviously comes with a big-hearted attitude and a mission to help those in need.

And so Sean and three other volunteers flew to Nepal late last month to provide emergency aid relief.

“We would like to acknowledge the overwhelming support and compassion that our wonderful community has shown us and ask that they continue to please get behind us,” Nicole said.

From the Diary team and on behalf of the community, we salute you, Sean and Nicole, and everyone involved with The Big Umbrella.

More info thebigumbrella.org

k drin

y part

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8 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Buying and building in never been a better time to lock in a fixed rate loan.

While interest rates are of course important to consider when looking to buy, Mark reiterated the fact that a steady and reliable income is your most important asset.

“It comes back to whether people have the capacity to pay. Generally your home loan term is over 30 years maximum and you wouldn’t expect the interest rates to stay this low for 30 years,” he said.

Unfortunately for buyers’ sake, Melbourne’s house price to income ratio is currently quite high, as average household incomes have not risen accordingly with the recent surge in property prices. Therefore the real estate market can be tough when it comes to affordability.

“Typically, the ideal situation is that people have a 20% deposit from the outset as it avoids a lender’s mortgage insurance,” Mark explained. “In saying that, you could be waiting forever and day to save that 20%, meanwhile property prices have gone up further again and suddenly you’re out of the market!”

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

THINKING of buying, selling, renovating or building in Warrandyte and not sure where to begin?

The Diary’s roving reporter LAURA DOGUET had a chat to the local experts in order to gain an understanding of the current state of play in the property market, trends in house prices and interest rates and the ultimate tips and tricks for buying, selling and building in the area.

The Agent RESIDENTS agree Warrandyte makes for a wonderful place to live with its natural beauty and strong sense of community. Therefore it is no surprise that real estate agent Chris Chapman, senior associate of Fletchers and with a strong connection as part of a generations-old Warrandyte family, has a passion for selling property in the area.

“I find it easy to sell property in Warrandyte as I genuinely love the area. There are a lot of people buying in Warrandyte who are coming from outside the area, so to be able to transfer what it’s like as a kid to grow up in the town and to be involved in the local community is really powerful,” Chris said.

Although Warrandyte caters for all demographics in one way or another, Chris was prepared to reveal the key markets buying in Warrandyte and what they look for in a property.

“Most of the people buying in Warrandyte are families, so they’re often looking for usable land and homes that can accommodate the family,” he said. “There’s also quite a growing market from people downsizing who’re looking for properties on a single level, as that’s quite rare in Warrandyte. So anything on a single level certainly gets snapped up very quickly.”

Demand for properties in Warrandyte is also high due to a rather short supply of stock currently on the market.

“At the moment there’s only 15 properties (for sale) in Warrandyte and 11 in North Warrandyte, which is historically quite low. So the demand is certainly there as there are plenty of buyers for each property,” Chris said.

This is good news for sellers. In order to prepare your home for sale, Chris suggests focusing on presentation.

“The idea is to not spend too much money as you may not necessarily get all that back on the sale price.

So major renovations are not usually advised just prior to selling. But

The Builder

The agent: Chris Chapman

The banker: Mark Challen

The builder: Paul Jenkins

anything you can do to improve presentation and address any obvious maintenance issues will go a long way,” he said.

Properties in Warrandyte are generally good value for money compared to nearby suburbs such as Doncaster and Templestowe.

Typically, you can get more bang for your buck at the expense of living slightly further out from the CBD. For that reason, many people from other areas are also choosing to buy in Warrandyte.

Another advantage of buying in Warrandyte is the wide range of property prices due to the diverse range of property types. There is more or less something for everyone.

Features that impact property prices include the number of acres the house is situated on, number of bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas, presence/absence of pools and tennis courts, and so on. House prices tend to correlate with the value of the property based on those assets.

“Warrandyte, south of the river,

you’re looking at entry level now for a house is around $500,000. But it ranges right up to towards $3million for properties on acres with a pool and a tennis court,” Chris said.

“North Warrandyte is similar,” he added. “Entry level’s probably around $450,000 with properties ranging up to around 1.5 million.”

Warrandyte house prices have experienced substantial yet fragmented growth over past five years.

The year 2010 was strong for the market as house prices experienced significant growth. In the following three years to follow, the market remained relatively steady as prices were not drastically rising or falling.

Over the past 12 months however, the market has sparked once again.

years experience in the industry – to find out what we can expect of interest rates in the near future.

“The Reserve Bank of Australia has signalled the potential for lower rates to help the economy to keep growing, help the jobs market and to ultimately help the economy transition post the ‘Terms of Trade’ boom,” Mark told the Diary. Not long after being interviewed for the Diary, his prediction became a reality as the Reserve Bank lowered interest rates.

In spite of that, Mark says we must be cautious in assuming that rates will stay the same. Interest rates are dictated by many external sources and volatile financial markets outside of Australia. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to determine future trends due to the potential for unpredictable disruptors.

Regardless, buyers are instilled with confidence and peace of mind in knowing the interest fee on their repayments will not be as high.

There are many options nowadays to determine term rates, but it’s

The Banker In combination with population growth and overseas demand, the recent rise in real estate can be largely attributed to record-low interest rates. We spoke to Mark Challen – branch manager of Warrandyte Community Bank with 40

So once your finance is secure and ready to go, the property hunt can begin. Nothing on the market satisfying your needs? Perhaps you’d prefer to add an extension onto your pre-existing home or even build your dream house from the ground up.

Paul Jenkins – director of Truewood Constructions with more than 20 years of experience under his belt – gave us the ins and outs of the home renovation and building scene in Warrandyte.

“Originally when I first moved here we built a lot of new homes because there was a lot of vacant land. But these days the land is not as available so we’re doing more renovations and extensions to existing homes,” Paul said.

“I think with renovations you really need to do an overall plan and make sure you’re building something that’s valuable to yourself and probably to someone else as well,” he added.

So is there still an opportunity to build from scratch? Paul explained how he has seen at least three houses taken down for rebuilding purposes recently in Bradleys Lane.

Evidently, provided the appropriate planning, designing and building, a chance still exists to bring your dream home to life in Warrandyte.

However, research is extremely important to ensure your home building goals are achievable.

“Seek advice on the block of land prior to making a final offer because some of them have high bushfire overlay levels and consult a designer when you’ve bought it,” Paul said.

Although the property market might seem daunting at first, with the right advice from the right people you’ll be laughing in the comfort of your perfect home.

9 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

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The Real Estate Agent

The Banker

Fletchers senior associate Chris Chapman’s reveals his top tips for buying and selling in Warrandyte:

Warrandyte Community Bank’s branch manager Mark Challen’s told us his ultimate tips for taking out/repaying their mortgage:

Buying: • If you’re ready to buy, be prepared to make un

conditional offers. Having your finance ready to

go is one key tip so you can make an uncondi-

tional offer when you do see the right property.

•

Do your research! Get out to have a look at as many properties as you can on a Saturday, so once again when you do see the right property, you can bid with confidence.

•

Be prepared to compromise a little bit – so if you make a list of 10 things that you want in a property, if you can tick off six, seven or even eight then you’re probably doing pretty well. But if you wait for the property that ticks all 10 boxes you might end up never buying!

•

If people want to get ahead of their loan, I’d recommend fortnightly payments.

•

Always try to establish what we call a buffer or rainy day account. You may have some savings in a separate account just to cover the unexpected.

•

Your most important asset is your income. I’d strongly recommend to take some type of risk-protection insurance – either to protect the loan repayments or more importantly income protection, which covers 75% of your in come in the event of any unforseen circumstances.

Selling • Speak to an agent early in the process so you

can get some advice on preparing the home

for sale – what’s worth doing and what’s not.

•

Don’t be afraid to invest in promoting the home – make sure you have a good marketing campaign so everyone is aware it’s for sale and to attract as many buyers to the home as possible.

•

Take your agent’s advice!

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Sue from Fossickers Way had to rush off to a meeting, so she told Peter to do the shopping.

“Write this down,” she said, “Get a can of tomato soup, a large cauliflower, we need some more fridge magnets, some sewing elastic 25mm half a dozen free-range eggs, a packet of frozen peas, oh, and while you’re there do get something for your bad breath.”

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10 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

‘Small’ rate rises coming

By SCOTT PODMORE

WARRANDYTE residents will see a rate rise of just over $60 a year (3.54%) as Manningham council’s 2015-2016 annual budget and strategic resource plan and annual initiatives have been adopted in principle.

They are on public exhibition until May 21.

In Nillumbik council, it’s higher, as that council plans to adopt a rate rise of 5.5%.

Manningham mayor Cr Paul McLeish says: “More than two years have passed since this council was first elected and in that time there have been new opportunities, pressures and challenges which continue to influence council’s decision making.”

He added: “These include the effects of a weaker global and national economy, federal and state government revenue reductions, continued pressure from cost shifting, increasing construction costs, increasing demands in frontline service delivery and community expectations.”

Cr McLeish said such a “challenging environment” had meant council was implementing strategies to cap the growth of operating expenditure.

Limiting the growth of operational expenses has resulted in limited rate rises, while still preserving council’s investment in community assets.

The total rates and charges bill for the average residential property in Manningham for 2015-16 will increase by only 3.53 per cent ($64.15) or $1.23 per week.

“This is the lowest increase in more than a decade and continues the downward trend we established from the outset of our council term,” Cr McLeish said.

Manningham City Council’s draft 2015-16 annual budget allocates $86 million to deliver services and a further $34.5 million to the capital program.

“Through the capital program budget, we will continue to invest in the renewal and upgrade of our community assets, and the development of the city’s infrastructure.”

Some highlights are: • Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre upgrade $5.16 million • Upgrade of Tindals Road $2.40 million • Road related refurbishments including reseals and resurfacing $4.77 million • Drainage improvements to protect properties from flooding $2.96 million • Refurbishment and upgrade of council’s community buildings $2.33 million • Planning and design of the new Mullum Mullum Highball Stadium $0.70 million • Mullum Mullum linear path upgrades - Park Road to Heads Road $1.39 million The major initiatives outlined in the Strategic Resource Plan for 2015/16 are: • The implementation of the Live Well in Bulleen Community Strengthening Project to promote better health outcomes and minimise social isolation and disadvantage.

• The completion of the remaining one kilometre of the Mullum Mullum Creek Linear trail.

• The continuation of council’s advocacy for improved public transport options for Manningham including heavy rail to Doncaster.

• Concept planning and community consultation for the Mullum Mullum Stadium.

• The final stage of the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre redevelopment including the construction of new indoor pool, expanded health club and the redevelopment of the entrance foyer and the skybridge from the carpark.

• The investigation of options to centralise council’s customer call centre to improve service delivery.

Cr McLeish believes the state government’s intention to introduce rate capping from mid 2016 will place “considerable financial pressure” on all Victorian councils.

“Rate capping will constrain revenue levels and this will impact service delivery as well as our ability to

maintain and improve infrastructure in the municipality,” he said.

“Setting annual rates cannot be seen in isolation from other nonCPI cost drivers. State and federal governments contribute to the pressures for increases in your rates through the impact of long-term cost shifting, grant reductions and increased charges. For example, library funding contributions from the state government have continually declined over the past decade as a percentage of total operating costs from 40% in 2002 to 17 per cent in 2014/15.

“If the state were funding libraries at the 2002 ratio of 40%, council would be able to decrease its call on rates by $640,000.”

“There is limited information on how rate capping will work and to what extent it will impact council and the community. The Victorian State Government will be consulting stakeholders, through the Essential Services Commission, to develop a framework for rate capping. Manningham will be making a submission.”

Nillumbik Shire Council Meanwhile, over in Nillumbik Shire Council, a 5.5% increase in rates and charges per property has been proposed in its draft budget for 2015-2016.

Key factors that have contributed to the rate increase include: • A $363,000 reduction in revenue from leisure centres • New operating costs of $148,000 for the new Hurstbridge Community Hub • A freeze in the level of Financial Assistance Grants from the Federal Government • An extra $330,000 for capital works projects • Providing capacity to service a $3.65 million loan for redevelopment of the Eltham Leisure Centre aquatics facility over the next three years Nillumbik Shire mayor Cr Helen Coleman said the draft budget’s aim was to balance the community’s

needs for services and infrastructure with the objective to minimise the increase in rates and charges.

“Council has masterplans for our major recreation reserves and facilities, structure plans for our activity centres and many other policies and strategies, and the council deliberates on the key priorities in all these important plans when developing the draft budget,” Cr Coleman said.

The budget has been prepared in the context of the Council Plan 20132017, the Strategic Resource Plan, the Financial Sustainability Plan and the rate-capping framework which comes into effect in 2016-2017 and which will cap council rate increases to CPI. Any council that wants to increase its rate by more than CPI must seek an exemption from the Essential Services Commission.

Council will increase funding for the rehabilitation of its two former landfill sites at Plenty and Kangaroo Ground by $110,000 to meet EPA requirements. This will be offset by the scrapping of the carbon tax by the federal government which resulted in a $109,000 saving.

The increase in rates and charges includes a 2.07% increase in the Waste Management Charge to meet operating costs including the state government landfill levy, kerbside waste collection and landfill rehabilitation.

The Municipal Charge will decrease from $100.33 to $93.50 per property.

This is calculated on the value of the cost shifting to council from other levels of government which in 20152016 is $2 million.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION Manningham Copies of the draft Annual Budget and Strategic Resource Plan are available on Manningham City Council’s website, at the Civic Centre, Municipal Depot and Warrandyte Library. Residents are invited to make a written submission: online at www.yoursaymanningham.com. au or by post to: Manager Finance, Manningham City Council, PO Box 1,

Doncaster 3108.

Written submissions must be received by Council by 5pm on Thursday May 21 2015. Submissions received will be reproduced in Council papers that are publicly available.

Submissions should clearly state whether you also wish to make a verbal presentation to a committee of council in support of your written submission. A list of all submissions received will be presented to a committee of council on June 2 and verbal presentations will be heard at that time. The 2015-16 Annual Budget and Strategic Resource Plan are scheduled to be considered for adoption by Council on Tuesday June 23. For more information about the draft budget, contact the Finance Services Unit.

If you have a question about how to lodge a submission, please contact Council’s Strategic Governance Unit on 9840 9333.

Nillumbik The draft Budget 2015-2016 has been released for community comment for 28 days (finishing 5pm on Monday June 1). Copies of the draft Budget 2015-2016 can be viewed at the Civic Centre in Greensborough; at the Eltham and Diamond Valley library branches and on council’s website www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

Submissions can be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 476 Greensborough 3088 and must be received by 5pm on Monday June 1 2015.

All submissions received by council on the proposed Budget will be considered at the Meeting of Policy and Services Committee on Tuesday June 9 at 7pm at the Civic Centre, Civic Drive, Greensborough. Any person who has made a written submission may request to be heard in support of the submission and will be entitled to appear before the meeting in person or by a person acting on their behalf. The budget will then be presented to the Ordinary Council Meeting for adoption on Tuesday June 23.

A tale of two tickets from different worlds

By VAL POLLEY

THIS is a story about two bus tickets, one from the past and one present day.

The ticket from the past is a small brown paper one that came enclosed in a beautifully handwritten letter on thick, watermarked paper. Such a letter is an increasingly rare occurrence in these days of electronic mail.

The story in the letter describes how the ticket was found tucked down the side of an armchair that was being re-covered. The chair had belonged to an uncle who had lived all but 12 years of his 102 years life in Box Hill. He left a house full of interesting items and his family has subsequently distributed many of these amongst organisations such as the National Trust, history societies and schools.

This bus ticket found its way to the Warrandyte Historical Society and is a fascinating relic of a past era. This ticket was issued by the Warrandyte Doncaster Templestowe Omnibus Service and cost three pence (about 35 cents in today’s money). It was not transferable and should have been destroyed on alighting, according to the instructions.

It would have been issued in the days when there was a conductor who took the money and provided information to passengers. It can be assumed that this ticket predates 1961. In that year the annual report of the Transport Regulation Board recommended the takeover of private omnibus services by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (subject to “adequate compensation” to the private operator).

Following negotiations with Mr A.P. Withers the operator, the Tramways board, took over all the of bus services in the Warrandyte, Doncaster,

Templestowe, Nunawading, Heidelberg, Box Hill and surrounding areas and commenced running its services.

Public transport in Warrandyte had been provided over the decades by coach and bus. With no direct access to rail, there has always been a reliance on bus companies to provide the local community with public transport links to the city, schools, nearby railway stations and within the local area.

For over three decades after the takeover, this service was provided mainly by the Tramways Board although it must be said the community also grew increasingly car dependent in this era. Some changes such as abolishing conductors so that the drivers issued the tickets to passengers were made in order to gain efficiency in time and

costs. However, the system turned full circle when the 1990s Kennett state government came to power and instigated a massive program of privatisation including local bus companies.

With an ultimate aim of achieving savings, cheaper fares and more efficient services, the bus system underwent a number of changes and amalgamations before settling into a more acceptable pattern, which has seen recent growth in usage.

The public transport system gave up paper tickets and from 2009 adopted the Myki card system. This is a smartcard system and there have been some well-recorded difficulties in its usage and acceptance.

As has been pointed out previously in the pages of The Diary, Warrandyte relies on its bus service and therefore on Myki. For those who are

only periodic travellers, using Myki can involve traps for the unwary.

One has to pre-buy, pre-load and hopefully know when the card is due to expire, because there’s no expiry date on the card itself.

This leads to the story of the second ticket.

Recently a senior passenger wanted to travel to the city but was told by the bus driver that his card (unregistered) had expired. The bus driver had no senior’s cards so the passenger received a free ride.

Directed to a 7-11 store he found he could purchase a new card but could not transfer the considerable balance from the expired card. The conundrum is to do that, one has to go to a participating railway station and of course Warrandyte has no such station so there is nowhere to check a balance on a Myki card.

On a special visit to Nunawading station to have the balance transferred, the machine was ‘down’ so the transfer could not take place.

The saga has continued as the passenger was advised on a second visit that he now has to go to Southern Cross Station in the city. The claims of savings and efficiency are being sorely tested.

One can sigh nostalgically for the days of a bus service when a passenger could flag down a bus with no previous forethought and on taking a seat have a conductor take money and issue a ticket. All that was required of the purchaser of the brown 3d ticket was that he had his three pennies or a ‘thrupenny bit’ ready.

One can also question if the promises of savings, efficiencies and cheaper fares from the last privatisation have actually eventuated.

While the Myki ticketing system has settled down and many find it easy and usable, for those who may only use their card once or twice a year or who are not completely conversant with the system, it’s not always so convenient.

The old-fashioned, personal service aspect has completely disappeared and is mourned by many travellers. Who knows, however, perhaps in the future there could be another decision turning the system full circle.

(For those not familiar with pre-decimal coinage, there were 12 pence to the shilling, 20 shillings or 240 pence to the pound. The pound was denoted by the symbol £, the shilling by an s. and the penny by d. (from the Roman denarius) as in £.s.d. A ‘thrupenny bit’ was a twelve-sided three pence coin. Decimal coinage was introduced in February 1966 and the pound and pence were replaced by dollars and cents).

11 Warrandyte Diary

Hard waste is put to good use

May 2015

Pleas to protect land

By EMMA CARINCI

COMMUNITY groups and residents are calling on Manningham City Council to lobby the state government to purchase a five-acre block of bushland in Warrandyte to prevent it being sold for possible development.

The Friends of Warrandyte State Park (FOWSP) Committee of Management, the Warrandyte Community Association (WCA) and residents want the block of land to be acquired by the state government as an addition to the Warrandyte State Park.

The property at 133-139 Webb St has been privately owned for more than 50 years but has never been developed.

On March 18, the property was put on the market. Since then, there have been concerns the integrity of the local environment and the value of the remaining bushland will be compromised if the land is privately acquired and developed.

By MAURICE CURWOOD

WE are a consumer society that produces a lot of hard waste as we throw out things that no longer work or we update to the latest fashion or technology.

Have you ever wondered what happens to those items that you have put out for the hard waste collection?

Recently I saw three good quality bicycles, albeit with rusty chains and wheel hubs, thrown into the back of the hard waste collection truck and crushed. Luckily I managed to rescue two other bikes.

In Warrandyte we have the opportunity to avoid the hard waste and put those bikes to good use. Warrandyte Uniting Church, in conjunction with WarrandyteCAN, conduct a community recycling event in May and November of each year.

Among other things, we collect bikes that are no longer wanted. We save the bikes from crushing and adding to our hard waste problem.

But what happens to these bikes?

Well they are put to good use as your bike is donated to Bicycles For Humanity Australasia “…a grassroots volunteer-run organisation focused on simple, sustainable empowerment in the developed world” or to Spokes in the Wheels run by the voluntary organisation Engineers without Borders (EWB).

Bicycles for Humanity have three projects in operation: Chibobo in Zambia, Katima Bike Shop and Kaoko Bike Shop, both in Namibia.

In Chibobo, a Bicycle Empowerment Centre (BEC) was established to support the local orphanage and provides bicycle mechanic training with the potential for suitable trainees going on to work in an automobile workshop established to provide employment and economic stimulus for the community. The sale of the refurbished bikes has led to the planting of crops with food, excess to the orphanages needs being sold for a profit.

The bike shops in Namibia also provide training and employment ,and bikes for the local community.

The income from Kaoko supports an orphanage run by the Red Cross.

Spokes in the Wheels is a Melbourne-based operation that assists the Sudanese community in Melbourne. The bikes are repaired by EWB volunteers for use by children and young people in the community. They aim to introduce bike riding at a young age. The children are offered sessions that teach them fundamental bike riding and fixing skills. The bikes provide sustainable and affordable means of transport for the young people, linking them to the broader community.

So, put your old bikes to good use and not in the hard rubbish to be crushed.

Another community recycling event will be held on Saturday May 16. Drop off your recyclable items at the Uniting Church in Taroona Ave between 10am and Noon. Volunteers will be available to assist you.

Items which can be dropped off are TVs, CDs, DVDs, bicycles, computers, computer screens and other computer parts including cables, printers, printer ink cartridges, small household electrical appliances, mobile phones, hearing aids, glasses, used stamps, buttons, household batteries (but not car batteries), spectacles, shoes and bras, fluorescent globes and tubes.

The list of items which can be dropped off has been extended for 2015 and now includes small to medium electrical appliances of all types, for example DVD players, VHS players, electric hand tools, household handheld appliances, microwave cookers, but not larger items such as, refrigerators, washing machines, dish washers and so on.

All items will be recycled or reused.

For mor e infor mation visit riverflow.com.au or call Maurie Curwood, on 9844 3830.

Pictured from left: Rosemary West, president of the coalition; Helen Coleman, mayor of Nillumbik, Kahn Franke, president of the Green Wedge Protection Group, Julia Hamer, patron of the Green Wedge Coalition and daughter of Sir Rupert Hamer who started the Green Wedges (ex-Liberal Premier of Victoria), Jonathan Upson, representing the WCA, and Lynlee Tozer Vice President of the Green Wedge Protection Group.

Legacy lives on in Nillumbik Green Wedge

By MICHELLE PINI

MORE than 40 years since her father Sir Rupert Hamer implemented Melbourne’s Green Wedges, Julia Hamer is continuing his legacy.

The new patron of the Green Wedges Coalition, Ms Hamer visited the Nillumbik Green Wedge recently to shine a spotlight on some of the problems created by recent changes to her father’s visionary legislation.

The Green Wedge’s legislation was designed to protect Melbourne’s environmentally significant

areas (including Nillumbik and Manningham), water catchments and fire risk areas and provide what Hamer referred to as the “lungs” of the city.

The Green Wedges Coalition has asked the new planning minister, Richard Wynne, to restore the protections, recently deregulated by his predecessor Matthew Guy. Mr Guy’s changes to the legislation (which had remained intact since 1971) currently allow the undermining of these conservation areas by inappropriate urban development.

Green Army to the rescue ARE you aged 17 to 24 and keen to do wonders for the environment in Nillumbik?

The good news is Nillumbik Shire Council has joined forces with the Green Army, a federally funded program managed by the Department of the Environment and delivered by Conservation Volunteers Australia.

The program gives 17 to 24 year olds an opportunity to make a real difference to the environment through local on-ground work. Council's army is a team of nine who will spend about six months working in Nillumbik Shire’s reserves on a project called Making Connections:

Nillumbik Habitat Corridors Project.

The group will be paid an allowance for their work, while gaining skills, training and experience working to enhance and conserve three important habitat corridors.

Nillumbik mayor Cr Helen Coleman said: “I had the pleasure of meeting this group who are keen to work on our pest and animal control, track maintenance, fencing and most importantly weed control. The program is a win for both parties, as they help us generate real benefits for the Nillumbik environment while gaining experience in the areas of environmental and heritage conservation.”

The Green Army team is supported by a team supervisor who manages the day-to-day operation of the group which are guided by Nillumbik council as to the local community's needs and priorities.

The group benefits greatly from the program - and not just practical experience, but also by exploring career options in conservation management.

The Australian Government has allocated $525 million for the program over four years, which will support 250 projects in 2014-15, 500 projects in 2015-16, 750 projects in 2016-17 and build to 1500 by 2018.

FOWSP’s Beverley Hanson believes the land should become a part of the Warrandyte State Park and is worried if it is privately sold, no one will have jurisdiction over its development. Ms Hanson said although the owner of the property had intended to build a modest home on the land, they were always mindful of its rare nature.

“It is a very special piece of land,” she said.

The land provides an important link between the Timber Reserve and Fourth Hill blocks of Warrandyte State Park. Manningham mayor, Cr Paul McLeish, said the land is within one of Manningham’s core conservation areas and state government mapping shows it to be a modelled habitat for 12 statewide threatened species of fauna and five of flora. One of these species includes Warrandyte’s iconic Brush-tailed phascogale and the wine-lipped spider orchid.

Because the land is subject to the Bushfire Management Overlay, a law enforced by the CFA and the state government, a significant number of trees would need to be cleared for development, resulting in the depletion of the vegetation.

A letter to council on behalf of the 303 members of FOWSP states the vegetation contained on this land is “of high quality and state significance”.

The agent representing the property vendor, Gardiner McInnes Real Estate, welcomes all proposals. Director Vicky Gardiner says that the agency is very supportive of the FOWSP and is referring interested buyers to the FOWSP for the provision of education on native wildlife and biodiversity in the area.

“We want people to be mindful of the site and the extraordinary nature of it,” Ms Gardiner said.

On April 22, Manningham council passed a motion indicating they would take steps to protect the land. According to the motion, council will write to the minister for environment and climate requesting urgent consideration to purchase the land for inclusion in the Warrandyte State Park or facilitating a process to protect the biodiversity value of the site. Letters of support from community groups and information regarding its national and state flora and fauna significance will be included. Council plans to send a copy of their letter to relevant local members.

Member for Warrandyte Ryan Smith said preservation of the amenity of the area was important.

“Preserving land, particularly in the Green Wedge, that has high environmental value is a win, as it insulates the area against inappropriate development and preserves the amenity of the area, while adding to Warrandyte's public open space.” Passing the motion is a step in the right direction, however the state government’s financial commitment is unverified.

“These issues invariably come down to the funds that the state has available and the state's view of the broader environmental and social value in making the purchase,” Mr Smith said.

The FOWSP has spent more than 30 years supporting the park rangers in looking after the bushland and have seen a depletion of native vegetation from development over the years. Ms Hanson says the FOWSP has formed a sub-committee under the WCA to review planning guidelines in an effort to make development a more stringent process.

“We want to keep the place as it is,” she said.

Although a decision is yet to be finalised, Ms Hanson says the FOWSP are optimistic.

“There’s a lot of support out there.”

The FOWSP Committee started a petition to Lisa Neville, Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

It currently has 412 signatures. If you would like to sign the petition and help protect the land at 133 Webb Street, visit http://chn.ge/ 1Jmy2ng

12 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

My mum and I follow the worn out summer river five bends westward to climb Fourth Hill. She is the tallest of the hills here and the pockmarked earth that is stretched thinly along her ridge is sharp. There is no moisture. She holds her tears deep below the scars cut by the miners and buries her sadness beneath her wracked quartz bones. She remembers the slow beginnings of the theft of the land around her, and then the gathering speed of that theft at the battle of Yering.1 Finally the thunderous rush of theft as her tallest trees were taken and her soft grasses smashed for the precious gold beneath her skin.

My footsteps echo my mum’s, crackling in the heat as she tells me the names of

1

the Wattle trees around us.

My mum is enamoured of these trees and she touches their varied leaves admiringly. Dull-greenbroad-wavy, long-darkgreen-sickle-shaped, blueishgreen-ferny. I am looking at the same trees and trying to see what she can see. They all look untrustworthy in the dry heat; begging for rain and lusting for fire.

We reach the top of Fourth Hill, marked and beaten and stolen and remembering in a sea of dull-sickle-shapedbluish-green. But my mum is smiling, telling me that the Wattles flower in Winter. We stand together on the crest of Fourth Hill in the summer sunshine and I realise that my mum is looking at Winter, and before us, she covers Fourth Hill in gold.

www.arcuate.info

What are your views on poker machines across Nillumbik?

VE AY HA R S U YO

Online survey

Complete our short online survey and help shape the development of a gambling policy for the Shire. Complete the survey at: www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/gambling

Nillumbik

The COMMUNITY FUND Community groups and organisations can now apply for a Nillumbik Community Fund communities within the Shire of Nillumbik.

Do you love to make things?

Do you want to meet other makers? Do you have a project and need a space to make it in?

Do you need a MakerSpace?

A MakerSpace is a room, a studio, a garden, a place where people get together to create things in the company of other makers. They are creative, social spaces, coordinated by volunteers, which provide opportunities for people to share, learn and connect.

Grants up to $5000 are available for Arts and Culture and Community Projects.

The 2015-16 annual grants are now open and

and guidelines please visit: www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/communitygrants or email grants@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

May Council Meeting

We have MakerSpaces in visual arts and clay making; patchwork, sewing and wool crafts; gardening; scrapbooking and paper crafts; mosaics, lead lighting and glass arts.

A Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 May at 7.30pm at the new St Andrews Community Centre, 35 Caledonia Street, St Andrews.

If you would like to join or establish a new MakerSpace we’d love to hear from you.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting and to stay to chat to Councillors

9433 3744 www.livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au

information is available on Council’s website www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au

www.facebook.com/nillumbikcouncil

@nillumbikshire

www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au

13 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Great Wall of Warrandyte Hope for preservation, traffic flow and safety in our town

By LAURA DOGUET

IN the April edition of the Diary, we outlined the intentions and goals of the Warrandyte Community Association’s recent project, the Writer’s Wall. Its stall over the festival weekend received an overwhelming response as people of all ages and areas expressed their hopes and visions for the future of our town.

Festival-goers were encouraged to complete the thought-provoking sentence: “I want Warrandyte to be...”

WCA president Dick Davies expressed the association’s gratitude for the amount of quality feedback received.

“We were blown away by the response (over 500 comments on the actual wall, many more on its virtual counterpart via social media), not only the aspirations that were left on the wall but the discussions that they generated,” Dick said.

The voices of Warrandytians and other local residents have been heard as contributions have been compiled and categorised into common themes by WCA project manager Kim Humphris.

“A major theme was to preserve the unique quality of Warrandyte: its environmental, heritage, cultural and sporting aspects,” Dick said.

This desire for Warrandyte to remain unchanged shows the level of appreciation and respect for our town as it is. A number of other positive adjectives were also thrown around as locals hope for Warrandyte to remain a wonderful, friendly, creative, happy and healthy place to live and visit.

Conversely, many seized the opportunity presented by the Writer’s Wall to draw attention to areas needing addressing within Warrandyte. Issues concerning infrastructure, the environment, pets and animals, subdivi-

sions, communications and politics were among those most discussed.

Traffic management was one of the most frequently raised points on the Writer’s Wall. Locals unanimously agreed that something must be done to improve the worsening bridge congestion.

Suggestions to resolve this issue include building another/widening the bridge, joining the ring road to Eastlink, discouraging non-local traffic and improving public transport services. Although it is difficult to determine the viability of these suggestions, the abundance of like-minded responses makes it clear that the issue must be addressed in one way or another.

Another proposal for infrastructural development was to install more bike tracks/lanes and footpaths for pedestrians. Not only would this

improve safety for all commuters, but also help to promote active and healthy lifestyles.

Many Warrandytians also expressed their hopes for a fire-safe future. Although Warrandyte will always be a vulnerable bushfire area, contributors suggested practical ways to minimise the risk. These included maintaining bushscape to reduce fuel, more accessible escape routes and increased fire awareness.

This vision is on the road to becoming a reality largely due to the WCA’s pre-existing Be Ready Warrandyte campaign. While the aforementioned traffic congestion over the bridge still poses as a problem in a bushfire situation, Warrandyte has come a long way in recent years in terms of bushfire awareness and preparedness.

Let’s hope our progress as a com-

munity continues in the right direction.

A lot of negativity towards roaming household cats was also received on the Writer’s Wall, reinforcing the relevance of the WCA’s proposed 24-hour cat curfew. Evidently, the project not only gave voice to new visions for Warrandyte but also reaffirmed the validity of issues currently under discussion.

Cats were not the only household pets, however, to receive a bit of flack. Conflicting opinions arose regarding dogs in public situations, such as whether or not they should be kept on a leash in populated areas. This is likely to be a controversial subject, but still one entitled to consideration.

Other popular suggestions included improving Warrandyte’s mobile and internet connectivity, prohibit-

ing the subdivision of property and to be more respectful of our native environment and wildlife.

The contributions gathered from the Writer’s Wall are to be presented to the wider WCA for continued conversation. Informed by the priorities of our community, the WCA will put words into action to ensure a brighter future for Warrandyte.

The common themes and issues raised will also be focus points in WCA’s regular discussions with local councils.

Dick is positive about the potential of this inclusive project to determine a unified vision for our town.

“We’re really excited at the opportunity this gives us to develop a collective vision for Warrandyte that we can share, support and implement, in partnership with all those who help to make this a very special place.”

14 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Building careers at Pines Learning Aged care training: Warrandyte’s Kevin Donovan helps another local Vicki Shearer at Pines Learning.

CLASSES at Pines Learning in Doncaster East have proven popular with Warrandytians.

But the Pine’s Learning centre’s connection to Warrandyte goes deeper than a growing list of students. One of the long-term trainers is Kevin Donovan, a resident of Warrandyte for 12 years.

Kevin has worked at Pines Learning for the past five years as an aged care trainer.

A dedicated trainer, according to the Pines Learning team, he is very passionate about supporting his students and is dedicated to improving the quality of the aged care workforce in the Warrandyte area.

Kevin is a strong advocate for improving Victoria’s aged care sector and believes that all new entrants to the industry should receive quality training so they have the necessary skills and knowledge necessary to work in the sector.

Such dedication plays a key role in ensuring that graduates from Pines Learning are well regarded by local aged care employers.

Indeed, most graduates have gained employment after completing their qualification.

Two Warrandyte locals who trained with Kevin in 2014 are

Vicki Shearer and Sarah Duff, who both say they were first attracted to Pines Learning because of the easy access to the centre, the ability to study within school hours and the quality of training.

Sarah says Kevin had “created a fun atmosphere to learn in, but was very thorough in his teaching of each unit of the course”. In addition to learning new skills, friendships were made.

Sarah and Vicki also commented on the supportive environment at Pines Learning, which started at the initial information session and continued right through to completing their qualifications.

Their work placements were organised, so there was no need to find their own placements.

Completing their Certificate III in Aged Care has been the springboard Vicki and Sarah needed to commence their careers in the sector.

The course provided them with the skills they needed to find work and they are both employed at Eltham City Mission.

In fact, Vicki has completed further training in dementia, while Sarah is also keen to pursue new learning opportunities to further develop her career.

Importantly, all this was possible for local residents without having to leave the area, or to disrupt their children’s school routines.

As Pines Learning is a notfor-profit, registered training organisation, it can keep costs as low as possible, making it even easier for Warrandyte residents to gain access to convenient vocational training.

For more information about the Aged Care training at Pines Learning, or any of the other courses that are offered there, call 9842 6726 or email info@pineslearning.com.au

Nillumbik calls for comments NILLUMBIK Shire Council is inviting comments on the Draft Nillumbik Invasive Species Action Plan.

Council says invasive plants and animals are having significant impacts on the environmental, cultural, social and economic values of the shire, so the action plan is aimed to provide a strategic and coordinated approach to invasive

species management.

Invasive species impact Nillumbik in a range of ways including loss of biodiversity, reduced agricultural productivity, deterioration of the quality of sporting grounds and playgrounds, damage to aboriginal and heritage sites, issues of safety and site access and increased fuel loads.

Nillumbik Shire Council may-

or, Cr Helen Coleman, says: “It’s very important for us to work together with the community.”

Visit nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ Your_Council/Have_your_ say/Draft_Nillumbik_Invasive_Species_Action_Plan Written comments will be accepted until May 15.

Email donna.stoddart@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Warrandyte Consulting Rooms 2 Trezise Street, Warrandyte 9844 3766 – 9844 1943

Proudly supporting the community for over 13 years

Football season is back!!!

Do you suffer from sports injuries, muscle soreness or tightness or general wear and tear?

Then pop into Warrandyte Osteopathy and let us help you out.

New doctors now taking new patients Dr Olivia Rimington Dr Andrew Perrignon Dr Libby Rochstein Dr Esther Ko Dr Paul Proimos

At Warrandyte Osteopathy, our highly trained Osteopaths can help to keep you at your best.

To make a booking please call the clinic on 9844 2465 or go online to www.osteopathymelbourne.org and book online.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Dr Gail Dixon continues to see her regular patients OPEN Monday to Friday – 9am to 5.30/6pm Saturday – 9am to 12pm

Shop 2, 90-92 Melbourne Hill Road Warrandyte, 3113 (Next to Ruby Tuesday)

15 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Cider fest rules

By RUTH BIRCH

Movies for thought WHAT kind of world will our children have and what can we do to minimise the harmful impacts of climate change on their lives?

WarrandyteCAN’s 2015 calendar includes a series of the latest climate change movies not yet available for downloading. From May to October there will be four one-hour presentations covering effects of temperature rising more than two degrees in our lifetime and what we can do about it.

There will be a brief introduction to each film by a guest speaker. Wine and cheese will be available before and after the films. Entry by gold coin donation. For more info see facebook.com/warrandytecan The first movie, on Thursday May 21, at the Mechanics Hall from 7.30pm for an 8pm start will be The Wisdom to Survive. A powerful, beautiful and poetic account of the interconnectedness of all life and its increasing fragility with the loss of biodiversity, the film explores how unlimited growth and greed are destroying the life support systems of the planet, the social fabric of society and the lives of billions of people.

The film features scientists, philosophers, activists and indigenous leaders from throughout the globe.

They urge us to open ourselves to

the beauty of the world – shown with superb cinematography – as both an antidote to despair and a spur to action. Richard Heinberg, senior fellow Post Carbon Institute, says: “Can you imagine being alive at this moment in time when so much is at stake and choosing to go to sleep instead?”

Will we have the wisdom to survive?

The second movie on the 2015 calendar is Dirty Business.

The third, Cowspiracy, explores (from mainly a US perspective) how animal agriculture is a major driver of climate change, through destruction of our vital rainforests and diversion of productive farmland for animal feed production, as well as through methane emissions.

The fourth planned movie, Frackman, is an Australian production.

Accidental activist Dayne “The Frackman” Pratzky takes us on a journey through a divided land as we meet people caught up in a modern day multinational gold rush to secure and exploit coal seam gas.

From conservative landowners to radical activists, an unlikely coalition of Australians has come together to fight for their communities, their health, their land and their future.

CONTRARY to last year’s rain-soaked weekend, the weather could not have been more perfect for the annual Kellybrook Winery Cider Festival on the first weekend of May. Each year the event seems to get more and more popular, with people travelling from all over Melbourne and country Victoria to be a part of festival No.27 this year.

On arrival, revellers were treated to stunning views of rolling hills of autumnal foliage: the red, brown, orange and green hues setting perfect backdrop for photos among friends. Past the mouth-watering food trucks serving traditional bratwurst and hot dogs with sauerkraut, the famous Morris Dancers set the entertaining scene as they jingled and jangled in their kooky outfits; their dedication year after year is much admired.

Two bars with various ciders and beer on tap as well as Kellybrook’s own wines kept punters happy and the encouraging weather no doubt contributed to a roaring trade. For a more formal affair, plenty of diners enjoyed a relaxed lunch and a cold one on the vine covered terrace, the rustic country-style restaurant providing respite for those weary from a little too much cider or needing a break from the excitement of the Oak Tree Stage.

The winding paths of the incredible gardens led though colourful patches of poppies, salvias and lavender, point-

Rocking out: The Pork Bellies fire up the audience.

ing the way for littlies to the children’s tent full of popular children’s activities. As always, the huge old oak tree was a majestic sight, providing ample shade and a fairytale-like hideout for what seemed like hundreds of people.

Still a bright healthy green, the stunning old oak had not yet succumbed to the deciduous chill of autumn. Its huge branches stretched in every direction, ensuring the canopy covered every inch of the lawn.

By lunchtime on the Saturday not a patch of spare grass in front of the stage could be seen as picnic rugs lay side by side, prams and jugs of scrumpy squeezed in wherever there was room. The perfectly chosen

musical offerings of the event included the incredibly talented Teskey Brothers, the Pork Bellies, Mission Brown, Damon Smith, Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk and the Scrimshaw Four.

In a smart move, the best was saved for last and The Quarry Mountain Dead Rats had everybody from every generation up and doing a jig as crowd control tried in vain to wind things down and round up the stragglers.

A fun, relaxed and heart-warming event for all ages, the colours, warmth and atmosphere of the Cider Festival continues to make the transition into the cooler winter months that much more bearable.

Can’t wait for next year.

Anderson’s Creek Primary School Open Day/Evening 2015 Prep Tours (Foundation) Information Session At Anderson’s Creek Primary School, we are extremely proud of the high quality programs delivered by our caring, dedicated and compassionate teachers. We pride ourselves on developing positive relationships with both children and parents.

We invite you to find out about our curriculum programs, including our transition program which commences in Term 2 with Story-time.

Wednesday May 20

Our transition program continues in Term 3 with our “Bridges Program” which involves teachers from across the school. During the Bridges Program, children will be involved in curriculum programs such as Music, Physical Education, Science, Computers and Art. The final transition program will be for all enrolled Prep (Foundation) students for 2015 in Term 4.

Evening tour

Our transition program ensures that your child has a terrific start to his/her schooling. The open day and evening will also give you an opportunity to view our attractive facilities.

Open Day Information Evening The entire school will be open for visitors throughout the day with tours at 10.00am, 12.00pm, 2.30pm and in the evening at 6.30pm. Please contact the school on 9844 2757 to make a booking.

At Anderson’s Creek Primary School Drysdale Road, Warrandyte 6.30 – 7.15pm Welcome School Tour with Principal Mr Trevor Gibbs Information Presentation by 2014 Prep Teachers

For further information please visit our school website.

www.andersonscreekps.vic.edu.au | 9844 2757 | andersons.creek.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

16 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Riverflow peace labyrinth and community interactive space

By LEEANNE KEAM

The area features a labyrinth to walk, mosaic pavers, amazing peace totem poles, an interactive mandala space, chalkboards to write a message, a thankfulness cairn and a soundbox to listen to messages of peace from local children, Wurundjeri people, Bellbird Singers and many more.

The area is open for all to come to wander, sit, reflect, listen to or write a message of peace, a place to add and take some peace amid the busy-ness of life.

The project was supported by a Manningham Community Development Grant, Warrandyte Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank and Warrandyte Uniting Church.

Those who joined on the day were the Mayor of Manningham, Cr Paul McLeish, Dan Wootton, Moderator Synod of Vic-Tas in the Uniting Church in Australia, Ken Sumner, State Director/CEO Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, representatives from community groups, schools and pre-schools.

Mayor of Mannin

gham, Cr Paul M

cLeish

(project co-ordinator) AT a time when peace can appear fragile and the concept of community seems to be fading in many areas, the opening of the peace labyrinth and community interactive space was a joyful celebration of all that is peace and community.

About 1200 people from Warrandyte and surrounds offered their enthusiasm, time and talents to create the many interactive areas and the result is a fantastic space for children and adults to explore peace.

Much like the community mosaic peace wall, the project gave groups the opportunity to talk about peace in many different ways – whether it was pre-schoolers exploring playing together, asylum seekers relaxing in the beautiful Warrandyte bush or elderly community members reminiscing about times where they felt most at peace during their lives.

Photos: STEPHEN REYNOLDS

17 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

100 Years of ANZAC special liftout

Lest we forget A great and grand reason to remember RUBEN Harris-Allan was a proud participant in his first dawn service in Warrandyte and he had good reason – he had the honour of wearing his paternal great grandfather’s (Keith Alexander Stewart) medals.

Mr Stewart served in WW2 in the Middle East and New Guinea.

The medals include a 1939-45 Star, Pacific star, Defence medal, War medal 1939/45 and Australian Service medal. He was also a guard at the signing of the Peace Treaty in Japan.

“Ruben was so proud to wear the medals and it was his choice to wear jacket and tie,” his mum Nikki said. “So worth the 5am wake up!”

Ruben was part of an enormous turnout of locals topping 1000 who paid their respects to our fallen with a special Centenary Dawn Service at Stiggants Reserve.

The scene couldn’t have been more Warrandytian – residents lined Yarra St for the early morning march before walking to Stiggants Reserve for a moving service and towering gum trees on the banks of the Yarra provided a backdrop with branches clearly the best seats in the house for the vocal resident kookaburras and other birdlife.

From babies, children and pets to families, our senior citizens, dignitaries and particularly our 93-year-old last surviving digger, Ben Jones, the atmosphere was emotion-charged and everyone united as one to pay their respects.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the special service by the RSL Warrandyte Sub-Branch was headed up by immediate past president Henk Van Der Helm and included a Catafalque Party, bagpipers, singing by the Bellbird Singers and a rousing rendition of Eric Bogle’s The Band Played Walzting Matilda by Barry Carrozi.

That was followed by a touching poem and prayer, the wreath laying ceremony, The Ode by Robin Batty, Lament, a heart-warming Last Post and minute’s silence as rain started to fall and the sun started to rise.

After the service, hundreds converged on the RSL clubrooms for a Gunfire Breakfast hosted by the Lions Club.

Diggers, we remember you Photo spread next page.

Picture: BILL MCAULEY

18 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

100 Years of ANZAC special liftout

19 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

100 Years of ANZAC special liftout

Photos: BILL MCAULEY, STEPHEN REYNOLDS & GARETH DICKSON

20 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

100 Years of ANZAC special liftout

A day at ANZAC Cove Warrandyte’s Sharyn McCullum reflects on an experience of lifetime in Turkey 25 years ago. She generously has given the Diary permission to reprint her article which appeared in a London publication.

N the 25th of April 1990, a very special event took place on a beach in Turkey. It was the 75th anniversary of ANZAC Day and I was one of the many lucky Aussies who were living in London to make the pilgrimage to ANZAC Cove.

Our tour guide heard a rumour that the crowds were beginning to swell at ANZAC Cove and so our group should head there early. It was the night before ANZAC Day around 6pm that we took the ferry across the Dardenelles (from Canakkale to Kilitbaher) to ensure we got a spot for the next day. It was only a short journey and as we arrived in the small port on the Gallipoli Peninsula we all laughed when we saw the “Bob Hawke Bar and Bistro”. I am sure the name of this bar has changed every time a prime minister changes (if it still exists).

The bus ride was bumpy and windy but did not take long. There were many buses and cars and people lining the road. We were advised to hop out of the bus and walk with the rest of the crowds. So we did, and we followed the crowd down a hill where lots of people were sleeping.

What we didn’t know at the time, and found out the next day, was that we were walking through the ANZAC Cove graves and it made me very sad when I think of seeing some people sleeping with their heads on the gravestones, but it was dark and there wasn’t much organisation.

I spent the night on the beach with my new-found travelling family. We huddled together. It was a starry night with a large moon but it was dark, the only light was coming from the broadcast tower. There was a slight breeze and gentle waves were rolling on to the pebbly shore. Peering through the darkness I pictured our boys off-shore, in 1915, drifting, waiting quietly to land. Just visible was the HMAS Tobruk which was anchored offshore and had a kangaroo shining brightly on her side. There were lights from other sea-faring vessels. Even at 1am the atmosphere was electric as we waited in anticipation of the events to come.

In the early hours, today’s armed forces took up their positions lining the official site. About 4am the dignitaries began to arrive. The Australian PM Bob Hawke arrived first in a blaze of lights and camera flashes. He was followed by the New Zealand Governor General, Sir Paul Reeves and the Turkish president.

Some of the surviving diggers, 47 of them, began to arrive. Each led by a

soldier from today’s armed services, as some of them were frail. The first old digger to arrive turned back as he was overcome with emotion. After a few moments to compose himself, he came back. Some managed to walk, some were in wheelchairs and some carried their oxygen bottles with them – nothing was going to stop them saluting their fallen mates.

I heard a story that one digger said, “If I die while over here, I want to be buried with my mates.”

Each digger was greeted with cheers, applause and warm wishes of “Good on ya mate” and tears from the crowd – truly a hero’s welcome.

If you did not have a tear in your eye, you should not have been there.

They all wore their commemorative green blazers, their medals and they all acknowledged the crowd.

The Minister for Veteran’s Affairs in Australia, Mr Ben Humphries, opened the ceremony and a speech

by Bob Hawke followed. Brigadier Alf Garland, national president of the Returned Soldiers League (RSL) of Australia, continued by calling on our sons and daughters never to forget what our forefathers went through. Chaplin A.D.Lang delivered the prayers. I.D. Cox of the New Zealand Returned Sodiers Association and Sir Paul Reeves made the commemoration to the fallen.

The huge crowd joined in the hymns and then proudly sang the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand. The servicemen in the crowd saluted as the bugler played the last post. Brigadier Garland re-

cited the Ode. “They shall not grow old … we will remember them, Lest we forget.”

As dawn broke, we were met with the exact same weather conditions, or so I was told, as that fateful day – cool and slightly cloudy. As the ceremony concluded, the Sphinx that protrudes from the mountain face, which the Turks used as a lookout, glared down upon us. The terrain was now visible, the vastness of the scrub covered cliff faces – those cliff faces that were the bain of the land. Turkish soldiers, rifles in hand, were guarding these hills. This time though, they just wanted to have their photo taken with us.

After the ceremony, the diggers were escorted away, one by one, just as they had arrived. Some stopped and chatted to the crowd, others waved, some were very upset. The crowd cheered, some cried, we were carried away on a wave of euphoria for what they had done for us. There were a couple of nurses who served during the war and one digger was celebrating his 103 birthday. The digger that caught my eye and stole my heart was the only ‘Lighthorseman’ to attend. He wore his feathered hat and was waving to everyone.

Standing on the north face of ANZAC Cove after the ceremony, I watched people wander through the cemeteries.

They seemed as shell-shocked as I was from a euphoric wave of pride in their country. I realised this is what the Diggers must have been feeling all those years ago after being

Cadets do us proud A GROUP of Warrandyte army cadets from the Norwood Army Cadet Unit (31ACU) jumped at the chance when their unit was invited to participate in the ANZAC Day march in the city this year. Many of them attended the dawn service at the shrine and then proudly joined the march carrying banners for the diggers.

They returned to Fed Square and marched with the entire Army Cadets Battalion for the Official Commemorative Service at The Shrine.

Even though the weather was not on their side, the Cadets were all so proud to be marching and to be given the opportunity to participate.

Warrandyte’s army cadets (right) pictured from left: Zara Fehring, Ben Frowd, Max Papenfuss and Alex Ward (also pictured left).

thrown into a situation where all they had were each other.

Trying to absorb my surroundings, I could imagine Simpson walking down the hill with his donkey. Were those gunshots I could hear? Were the distant, still apparent trenches housing men eating their bully beef or lighting cigarettes — no, they were full of travelling Aussies who had come to pay their respects.

On the hill overlooking ANZAC Cove or ANZAC Koyu, there is now a monument dedicated to those who died. The words inscribed on them are by Mustafa Kemel Ataturk, who was the commander of the Turkish Army. It shows the comradeship which exists between our countries and reads: “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…

You are now lying on the soil of a friendly country.

Therefore rest in peace.

There is no difference between the Johnnie and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side.

Here in this country of ours…

You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries Wipe away your tears, Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace.

After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”

- Ataturk 1934 After the dawn service it was breakfast at the Bob Hawke Bar/Bistro,

then on to the International Service at the Turkish Memorial which is high on the headland at Cape Helles, overlooking the entrance to the Dardenelles. This service was attended by Margaret Thatcher, Bob Hawke, Sir Paul Reeves and the Turkish president. A sight to behold was the tearful embrace of one of our diggers and the oldest Turkish soldier from the campaign alive.

During those few moments, all the bitterness and the absurd meaningless of the Gallipoli campaign was gone.

After this service, the Kiwis headed for Chunuk Bair, a scene of fierce fighting between the Kiwi and Turkish forces where the only Kiwi digger to attend was honoured with a medal. The soldiers of today ended the ceremony with the Haka.

I went to Lone Pine, the furthest point the Aussies reached during the campaign, witnessing some of the bloodiest fighting and where seven Victoria Crosses were won.

Here rows of white headstones were guarded on three sides by tall pine trees with a large, white stone memorial on the fourth side, It is a small world of remembrance within a larger world of remembrance. The day was now sunny and warm. Here Bob Hawke made a heart rendering speech for the diggers assembled.

A plaque was unveilved and a tree planted from the original Lone Pine.

Many visitors signed the ‘Welcome Book’ inside the shrine.

After this ceremony, people walked around laying flowers on the graves.

People were looking for, and finding, headstones of those loved ones lost.

Only feet away the original trenches were visible. Some had been reconstructed to their 1915 condition.

As the day came to a close, I made my way high into the hills to a memorial that overlooks the whole area. Gallipoli or Gelibolu is now a national park dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives. Thousands are buried in the 37 cemeteries and memorials in the park. As I stood and surveyed the area, in the distance the Aegean Sea went on forever and looked inviting.

ANZAC Cove was in front of me, Suvla Bay was to the right and the mouth of the Dardenelles to the left. The place is so peaceful now but I thought it felt heavy, heavy with lost souls. If you close your eyes you can almost hear the gunfire.

It is hard to explain the national pride that was felt that day from the thousands of Aussies and Kiws that attended. A bond of comradeship which our boys must have felt in 1915 – an atmosphere of sheer patriotism. Let the 100th anniversary celebrations begin.

Lest we forget.

Sharyn McCullum spent the 100th Anniversary of ANZAC Day at Stiggants Reserve, War randyte. She watched the dawn service from ANZAC Cove and the Lone Pine Service on TV at home remembering what a special day this is.

21 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Firing up with fashion THE “fashion event of the year�, Gown and Posy's fundraising fashion parade in aid of the Warrandyte CFA, was a resounding success last month.

The event was held in the Chandelier Room at the Grand Hotel Warrandyte on April 9 and raised a grand total of $2668 for the local fire brigade. All ticket sales, raffle ticket sales and 10% of gown sales went straight to the worthy cause.

Gown and Posy was supported by most of the local businesses, politicians, the hotel and volunteer models from across this tightly-knit community.

Among the wonderful parade of gowns was a sense of fun while guests enjoyed the catering and hospitality of the hotel.

Gown and Posy will continue to be a business with

Close shave for a good cause ON March 13 three locals shaved their heads in aid of a worthy charity. Rick Griffiths, Amelie May, 13, and Alice Lambert, 14, all cut of their luscious locks to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation, which uses the money to help provide for families, console loved ones and help people through diagnosis as well as conduct medial research about the disease. Amelie and Alice both previously attended Warrandyte Primary School and now Templestowe College, and Rick is a Grade 5/6 teacher at Warrandyte Primary. A member of the WPS community has recently been diagnosed with blood cancer and although she is now in recovery, it really hit home with the three shavers.

Between the three of them they raised over $5000 from sponsors as well as stalls and other fundraising activities at both schools.

a conscience. In addition to promoting upcycling to save our environment and cut waste, it will be raising funds for the Nepal Red Cross earthquake appeal by donating 25% of sales during May.

- ALICE LAMBERT

Improve your - core stability - tone - strength - flexibility

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Join us for quality small group classes on the Pilates Reformer equipment.

Bring a friend and your introductory session is FREE when you both purchase ten sessions to get started.

Pilates Massage Therapy Osteopathy Remedial Massage Therapy and Osteopathy are claimable on your health fund through our Hicaps system.

Call us! on 9844 5781

22 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Polar escape Hi Carolyn. We want to go to the Arctic to see polar bears in their natural environment. What’s the best way to see them, where should we go and what time of year gives us the best opportunity to see them?

- Karen, Warrandyte

Diary goes global ... send us your travel photos NOW there’s a familiar face, even if it was photographed at Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic.

The Diary’s very own Roger Kibell (above) packed a copy of the Diary and didn’t forget to pull our trusty newspaper out for a read “on the bridge looking up to the castle, and in the township, and in the town square.”

Great work Mr Kibbled.

Elsewhere, Deidre Prior, a familiar face at the Anderson’s Creek Primary School office, returned recently from Turkey after “an experience of a lifetime” at the 100-year anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.

“My grandfather was at the landing on April 25 1915 and it was wonderful to see were his battalion landed and the area they fought in. There was a lovely companionship between the Australians/New Zealanders and the Turkish people,” Dee told us.

The photo Dee submitted was taken before the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove with two Turkish SES officers (right).

And not to be outdone, even our Member for Warrandyte, Ryan Smith, managed to get a snap of a local in Hue, Vietnam (top right), catching up on all the news in Warrandyte.

Send your entries to info@warrandytediary.com.au with DIARY GOES GLOBAL in the subject line with your name, address and a brief description of your photo.

The winner will be announced in July and win a weekend in a cabin at Crystal Brook Tourist Park for a weekend away “just around the corner”.

Hi Karen! The best way to see polar bears is on an expedition cruise, as they can allow you to get up close to bears in their natural habitat while at the same time marvelling at the beautiful landscape.

The dramatic scenery, with glaciers and icebergs and sheer cliffs rising vertically from the water are simply awe-inspiring.

There are many expedition cruises into the high arctic around Greenland and Canada that offer incredible wildlife opportunities and visits to remote Inuit communities.

If it’s specifically polar bears you are after, the best place to see them is Spitsbergen in Norway. Spitsbergen has a roving population of 6000 bears.

There can be no guarantees as to how many you may see on a cruise, but the ship spends the whole voyage exploring the archipelago in search of wildlife.

In the course of seeing perhaps 15-20 bears on average, other Arctic species which can be seen in prolific numbers are walruses, seals, Arctic fox, musk ox, whales and birdlife aplenty, including puffins.

The best time to see bears is early in the summer, June and early July, while the sea ice is relatively close to the archipelago. Where there is sea ice, that’s where you tend to find bears. As the summer progresses and the ice recedes north, the bears tend to go to land where they can still be seen but perhaps not from as close.

Whether you see four polar bears or 40, the Arctic infuses visitors with a sense of wilderness and of isolation like few other places on earth and many return from there feeling somehow changed by the experience.

Our travel expert Carolyn is the manager of Warrandyte Travel and Cruise. Email her at carolyn@ warrandytetravel.com.au

182 Heidelberg–Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte Phone 9844 3637 Email info@cbtp.com.au

The only place to stay in a cabin, in a caravan or for a camping experience n Pool, BBQs, Camp Kitchen, Games Room & undercover ‘al fresco’ area n Pets OK (with pet friendly cabins in addition to sites) n We host local birthday parties! n Cost effective accommodation for visiting family or friends n Try before you buy – don’t buy a tent, come and try ours!

23 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Outback magic

Sometimes a great travel experience can be enjoyed as much in our own country rather than heading for foreign shores, as this month’s guest travel writer LARA MCKINLEY discovers.

RECKON there is a moment on any trip that makes the hassle of travel worth it; the mental photograph you can pull out again and again and still feel a thrill.

Over Easter my family and I went camping in outback South Australia: husband Mike and three kids, Kayla, 10, Billy, 8 and baby Lily, who was just learning to crawl.

There was a spectacular amount of hassle, so our moment was going to have to be a cracker.

On the last leg of our trip we were at the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, which is about as middle-of-nowhere as you can get without a four-wheel drive.

We were all tired after our dramatic 4WD tour up the gnarliest, roller-coaster of a ridge-top dirt track you can imagine.

Naturally we thought, “What better way to unwind than to do a five kilometre hike to the waterhole to see the elusive and endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby?”

When we got there, the waterhole was a puddle and the wallabies didn’t want to party. Crankiness was inevitable.

And then we had our cracker of a moment.

The setting sun painted the rock wall a molten outback gold. Kayla and Billy took off: human rock wallabies, scaling a mighty cliff, full of adventure and freedom.

It was magic, totally unplanned— and well worth the hassle of cooking for our hungry mob, in the dark.

Outback South Australia is a special place. It has vast, ancient escarpments and that epic, big-country sky. The roads stretch endlessly to the horizon.

And even if the kids missed the poetry of the place, there was always the thrill of spotting an emu or those weird-looking muscle kangaroos, the euros.

Our trip started at Mount Remarkable National Park, at the southern end of the Flinders Ranges and 45kms from Port Pirie.

We camped at Mambray Creek, in a dry pink and white quartize gorge— formed more than 600 million years ago—shaded by northern Cyprus pines and surrounded by river red gums.

These old-man gums—each a work of sculptural art, surviving and thriving through drought, fire and flood—are some of the best preserved in the state.

The last lessee of this land, Henry Humphries, protected the trees and preserved intact stands for future generations. Thank you Henry, the trees are beautiful.

It was like an open range zoo.

Cockatoos and kookaburras led the morning bird chorus. Emus and western grey kangaroos wandered

by and huge monitor lizards prowled our campsite, searching for scraps.

Plenty of family-friendly bushwalks—most of which started within metres of our tent—meant we could explore on foot, with baby Lily in the backpack.

It was bliss on a stick.

Wilpena Pound was our next stop.

It’s in the heart of Flinders Ranges National Park, about 450km from Adelaide.

The traditional owners, the Adnyamathanha people, call it Ikara or meeting place; the steep, ragged walls formed by the bodies of two giant water snakes.

Geologists call it an outdoor museum; a place made from 800million-year-old sediment, folded and pushed into a mountain range, the wavy layers of time on display.

Gorges splice through the surrounding landscape—veritable time-machines of ancient geology—

and made wonderful scenic drives, a perfect chance for the kids to rest.

But it was the detail in the landscape and the stories of the people that really got under our skin.

At Arkaroo rock we saw rock paintings thought to be 6000 years old that depict part of the muda, or the dreaming story of the Pound.

The ruins of homesteads were everywhere, poignant reminders of the incredible struggle of farming such marginal land; epitaphs to a government policy that demanded stocking levels more than 20 times higher than what was sustainable.

Walking inside the Pound we read the story of Jennie Hill—a 12-yearold girl who moved there at the turn of the century, to keep house for her five brothers.

They toiled through boom and bust for more than a decade to make a living from the land, and then in one afternoon it was gone.

Much prayed for rain brought a biblical flood. The road the family had painstakingly built year upon year was swept away. And with it, the only way to get their goods to market.

Standing just metres from where Jennie lived, Kayla was thoughtful … and a little outraged: “She was only two years older than I am. And she had to look after all those brothers!”

It was another remember-forever moment. Not a big look-at-me thing you post on Facebook, but far more subtle.

I could see my daughter connecting to the story of a place, and it’s people, slipping outside of herself for just a moment to see the world in a different way.

For me, that’s always been the magical part of travel. How great to take my family along for that ride.

Photos: LARA MCKINLEY

A family selfie the oldfashioned way: on a timer on a walk to Arkaroo rock, near WIlpena Pound.

Rocky mountain high: Billy Flavel turns rock wallaby at the Arkaroola waterhole in one of those magic moments that make all of the hassle of travel absolutely worth it.

Splitting the middle: Kayla Flavel marvels at the walk-through river red gum while on a bushwalk in Mount Remarkable National Park.

24 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Life of drama and dance

Many boys came and started doing exactly what the girls had been doing before them. Theatrekids workshopped plays and used the work as a “sociodrama” to engage with issues common to the kids such as bullying.

In 1976 success came with one of Theatrekids productions entitled Gliders and Spirits when the oneact play won the Victorian State Schools Drama Competition.

“It was about a group of kids on a picnic in the Warrandyte bush,” Yvonne says. “It was a play with a magical touch and in one scene the kids are flying their gliders from a cliff very much like the one I climbed down as a child at Pound Bend. There is a transformation in the scene and suddenly the Wurrundji children are dancing.”

Another highlight for Theatrekids was The Wizard of Warrandyte, a play that was instigated by the kids after some of them saw a bulldozer crushing some young trees. The hero of the day was The Wizard, an androgynous spirit figure who fought The Glink, a metallic monster symbolizing the earthmovers and bulldozers.

In 1959 Yvonne sailed to Italy on The Fairsky. After landing in Naples she took a train journey across Europe that she describes as stunning. She arrived in London to try

her luck as an actress in repertory theatre.

Australian painters Yvonne and Arthur Boyd invited her to live with them in return for being a mother’s helper and she travelled through Europe with the Boyds.

“Seeing galleries in Europe with Arthur Boyd was quite something,” Yvonne says.

Yvonne was offered a season with Oldham Rep but homesickness was starting to bite. Another cold dark English winter was setting in and she was broke. Yvonne rang her father Lyn and he sent her the money for the trip home.

Back in Melbourne, Yvonne was reacquainted with Irving Reid.

“He was a dashing young man with a love of literature and art,” she says. “Once together it became an absurd notion that we would ever part and we never did.”

They were married in 1962, the same year as the bushfires burnt down Yvonne’s childhood home on top of the cliff in Albert Rd. They had four children: Lynton, Sacha, Duc and Than.

Unfortunately Irving passed away three years ago.

“It’s been an extremely difficult time, especially since his illness was misdiagnosed and wrongly treated,” Yvonne says.

Her wonderfully strong and determined face softens as she talks about Irving, the love of her life: “He was a painter, writer, mathematician and a great actor too! I miss him terribly, he was my best friend.”

Gough Whitlam’s initiatives in tertiary education made it possible for Yvonne to return to study and in 1982 she achieved registration as a psychologist. In 2005 she graduated as a Jungian analyst, 13 years study in all.

Yvonne believes her work as a psychologist and Jungian analyst is not far removed from the arts and she agrees with Jung’s notion that the value of imagination is a creative force.

Although Yvonne has achieved many accolades for both her creative and academic work, she is still passionate about her ten-year association with the Warrandyte Environment League.

“It is still profoundly important to me,” she says.

“One of the highlights of being involved with the league was being able to save Koornong from housing development.”

Today aged 74 Yvonne still works three days a week as a Jungian analyst. She is forever interested in the human psyche and the wonder of the universe.

Speaking as a practicing christian, Yvonne’s final comment is practical as much as being philosophical.

“I think the world needs some fresh approaches to solving the worsening problems of our planet.”

“finally curing the condition”.

That spawned the birth of the Spectrum Health Trust in Bedfordshire UK, with 29 modalities offered to the community each week. The not -for-profit Natural Health Centre not only became a recognised training centre for practitioners offering government-funded programs for disenfranchised young people and young offenders in prison, but also received many referrals from doctors and specialists for their patients to receive healing modalities.

“Often the doctors came themselves for treatment,” Jane told the Diary.

Jane and David Offer were planning to retire when the Warrandyte shop presented itself “out of the blue”. They are now resurrecting the healing method modalities they offered in the UK and are creating a team of practitioners to promote, practice and support natural health and wellbeing.

"This is an area of work that is

impossible to retire from,” said Jane, who now lives in Warrandyte with her husband.

“Once we had made the decision to rent the shop and launch The Purple Dragonfly, everything simply fell into place – we have also been fortunate to attract the right people to work with us at exactly the right time, many of whom are local people.”

The Offers say they are thrilled to be offering the community a complete wellness program designed to achieve and maintain health holistically and naturally while also working in a complementary manner alongside allopathic approaches to health.

“We are never considered to be alternative but complementary.

Everything has its place and we feel our place is in Warrandyte to share, learn and grow together,” Jane said.

To find out the various services, therapies and workshops offered at The Purple Dragonfly visit the shop at 256 Yarra St or call 9844 5294.

Words and main photo by BILL MCAULEY

YVONNE Reid is a woman of considerable presence. Dressed in black she welcomes the Diary into her rather spectacular stone-built residence in Banning Rd, North Warrandyte. Yvonne’s warmth and intelligence shines through as she talks about her life as a dancer, actor, teacher, choreographer, psychologist and Jungian analyst.

Her contribution to our arts community is immeasurable through her role as drama and dance teacher with the Warrandyte Arts Association’s Theatrekids. For more than 25 years she encouraged freedom of expression with hundreds of young Warrandyte children through her creative dance and drama classes.

Yvonne came to live in Warrandyte in 1942 when she was only two, along with her mother Hilda Mitchell and sister Bev (then seven) and moved into a little cottage in Albert Rd. Little brother David was yet to be born.

“We had no electricity and no telephone,” Yvonne says. “Little lamps at night, possums, howling winds and all that stuff.”

Their father Lynton (Lyn) was away serving in the army during WWII. The girls naturally missed their Dad. “But we didn’t forget him,” Yvonne says. “Mum had a picture of Dad that we used to kiss every night before going to bed.”

The cottage was next to a huge cliff that dropped 300 feet to the river at Pound Bend.

“I used to climb down and spend time in a little cave hall way down the cliff,” she says. “Mum didn’t mind me climbing up and down the cliff because she said I was sure-footed.”

Perhaps time spent in that little cave sparked the imagination of the little girl who would later express her creative side with writing, dance and choreography.

Yvonne was interested in dance and theatre from an early age because of her friendship with neighbor Yvonne Day. “She was a dancer and I idolised her,” she explains. “Yvonne Day and her sister June had numerous scrapbooks full of pictures and stories about the Hollywood stars of the day.

“I was totally captivated and I knew the names and faces of the actors and dancers before I had ever seen them on film.”

Inspired, Yvonne began creative dance classes held by émigré dancers Hanny Kolm and Daisy Pernitzer from Vienna. It was a determined effort for an eight-year-old

girl to make the journey into the city once a week and an absolute testament to her mother Hilda’s devotion to make this happen. It involved a series of bus and train rides and an overnight stay with her Nana in Box Hill.

Two years later, Yvonne was persuaded to move away from creative dance and into the classical discipline by her friend Barbara McIntyre.

“I studied classical ballet at The Royal Academy of Dance in Exhibition St,” Yvonne says. “But in the end I wasn’t convinced that classical ballet was sufficient for really creative expression.”

Yvonne first had the idea of teaching creative dance when she was 15 when she suggested to the WAA that she could teach ballet and creative dance and offered to do it without payment.

“But Joan Golding from the committee thought that lessons too cheap might not be appreciated and it was decided that I would charge 2/6 per lesson,” she says.

“There was no television and no extra curricular activities in our little town in those days and the local lasses turned up in droves,” she adds, smiling.

“Over 30 little girls arrived at the hall for the first lesson. We had our first recital Children Love to Dance

at the end of that year.”

One ex-student Suzanne Dour (nee McAuley) spoke to the Diary about attending Yvonne’s dance classes over 50 years ago.

“It was all very modern and we were very privileged to learn with Yvonne,” Suzanne says.

“During one concert we had cardboard boxes over our heads and were marching about all over the stage. It was a lot of fun and we were able to really express ourselves. I still dance around the place to this day.”

There were no boys in the first years as it was considered to be “too sissy”. A few years later, Yvonne began to incorporate drama into her classes and advertised the classes under the WAA Theatrekids name.

This dragonfly spreads its wings

By COLLEEN BATE

THERE’S a new Purple Dragonfly in town and the new store celebrated its opening with a social get-together recently.

Spearheaded by wellness practitioners Jane and David Offer, co-creators of Spectrum Health Trust in the UK for more 20 years, The Purple Dragonfly offers a holistic approach to health and wellbeing to Warrandyte and surrounds.

The Purple Dragonfly offers products and gifts for body, mind and soul, as well as workshops and several natural treatments including homeopathy, intuitive healing, reflexology, massage and crystal balancing, hypnotherapy and pastlife regression, esoteric acupuncture and PSHYC-K. There are weekly yoga sessions for all ages, men’s meditation and sound bath meditation plus tarot, psychic, medium and soul mastery readings.

Workshops complete the picture covering many subjects including

HOME GROUND ADVANTAGE creative writing, working with new paradigm energy, dowsing, angels, tarot and much more.

The shop and therapy centre was buzzing with lots of energy on the evening of the opening as guests mingled, discussing the various products, therapies and classes on offer with therapists, practitioners and “retail angels”.

“Many agreed they had been 'led' to the particular energy of the shop prior to its opening,” owner Jane Offer said, adding the general consensus on the new venture was that

it was “fresh, exciting, enlivening and beneficial to the community in terms of self-development, self-care, awareness and healing”.

Jane has a background in teaching and counselling. After her daughter was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, she became passionate about natural health when she saw the benefits her daughter received –

25 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Cat poll is a farce

River play: Last year’s winning photograph by Narelle Haas. Entries are open for the Warrandyte Community Bank annual calendar photo competition.

Get those cameras clicking

By DEANNE DICKSON

FOLLOWING a successful inaugural event in 2014 in which several excellent images were submitted, Warrandyte Community Bank has announced the opening of its annual photo competition for 2015.

The competition was launched on April 1 and will close at 5pm on

June 30, culminating in an exhibition at the Grand Hotel Warrandyte on August 18.

The Warrandyte Community Bank is looking for 12 photographs that reflect the theme My Place, My Community. What Makes My Community Special? Winning photographs which best capture our community

and spirit will be featured in the bank’s 2016 calendar.

So, whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, dust off your camera, get out and about and start clicking.

Entries prizes include: Judge’s Choice, $500, will be front cover as well as one calendar month; Board’s

Choice, $200; People’s Choice, $200, voting will take place at the exhibition; and nine other entries selected to be in the calendar will receive $100 each.

Drop into Warrandyte Community Bank to pick up an entry form or download from www.bendigobank. com.au/warrandyte.

Dear Scott and Diary team, I'd like to point out a few things with regard to the “Cat call is in” article printed in the April edition.

First, regarding the number of people voted in the poll. Because of the way it is set up, I succeeded in voting over 100 times. So, I doubt that over 1000 people voted at all.

Second, regarding the concept that 'Warrandyte has spoken' - as of the 2011 census, there were 5520 people living here (http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Warrandyte,_Victoria ). Even if over 1000 did vote (which, as I pointed out, they didn't) that means around 20% of the Warrandyte population have voted.

Since the matter was reported in the Manningham Leader and aired on national television, how many people from outside the area voted? I know of at least one person who voted from interstate, and another from overseas. Neither has ever visited Warrandyte, let alone lived here.

Finally, regarding those who don't want cats in their gardens, a very simple solution: build a fence to keep them out. That is what we did when we decided we wanted to keep rabbits out of our garden. If you want privacy in your garden, you don't ask your neighbours to plant tree screens, close their curtains or stay out of their gardens - you build yourself a private area to use.

Not all cats wander. It isn't always possible to keep a cat indoors, especially when they are determined to get outside. Not all cats are capable of catching anything except a few zzzs in the sun.

How about we also do something about the things that destroy the native habitat of our wildlife instead?

Like horses, goats, rabbits, foxes, cars, people, etc instead of picking on one species and blame them for everything?

Comments similar to this were submitted to, but weren't posted on, the WCA website. I trust that the Diary is big enough to print an opposing viewpoint.

Take care, Janis Coates Warrandyte

Billanook College

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Next College Tour: Friday 19 June, 10.30am

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26 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

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Seniors discount available. Clint’s Progressive Painting Service 9844 4969 or 0424 731 830.

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Licked by a brooding black beauty of a frustrating printer HERE must be a better way than licking the bloody thing!”

“But it seems to work ... sometimes.”

Now before you all jump to the wrong conclusion, Herself and I were talking about our printer. We have had a long association with it and for many of the years, it has been faithful. Recently, however, it has become a little inconsistent, almost fickle. Despite this, I chose to give it some leeway.

As with all our possessions, I grow very attached to them and don’t like to throw them away without a very good reason. In most cases I like to think I’m helping to save the planet but others in my immediate vicinity might argue that my concern about replacement is less a matter of an objection to rampant consumerism and is much more a matter of long pockets and short arms. But back to the printer.

Over the past months, Herself and I had become tired of turning on the printer to be met with the scrolling injunction that the left or the right ink cartridge needed replacing. I had replaced them before with new cartridges but the cost had driven me to refill the old cartridges myself. It is a simple matter of injecting the cartridge with printing ink, sealing the holes and marvelling at how much you have saved with each printed page.

kibbled

“Just get rid of it and get a new printer.

They’re not all that expensive nowadays.”

This worked for several months but then the Roger-filled cartridges began to elicit the same scrolled message. What to do? I tried all the normal repair techniques; I shook the cartridge, resealed the holes, blew into the holes to get the ink flowing and finally thumped the machine.

Still, the importunate scroll demanded that I replace the cartridge.

“Just get rid of it and get a new printer. They’re not all that expensive nowadays.”

Guess who that was!

“I’m sure I can work out what’s wrong. I’ll just give it another go. Perhaps the connections are a bit dirty and they just need a little cleaning.” Which is where the

licking comes in to the story.

The first time I removed the cartridge and wiped the connections with a damp tissue, on replacing it, it worked.

The second time the printer scrolled its warning, I didn’t have a wet tissue handy so I licked my finger and ‘cleaned’ the connection. After that it was the slippery slope to the quick chaste lick all the way to the decadent French lick.

Eventually, even the most passionate of licks didn’t work and I was driven to admit defeat.

The new machine was a sleek, black, brooding beauty.

“Just insert the DVD and follow the installation directions and it’ll be fine,” confided the salesman. And I believed him. Which is a bit like falling for the old, “Trust me, I’m a politician” line.

All went well with the unpacking and setting up the language, test printing and the connection to the phone line.

But then came the Wi-Fi bit.

It took me a long time to find the WPS button on my wireless router so when I did, I thought I was home and hosed. ‘Hold down the WPS and press OK on the printer’.

After a lot of metaphorical whirring and clunking, I was told that the connection had not been made and that I should try again and if that failed I would need to reset my ‘settings’ and rejig my whatsit - none of which I knew how to do.

I thought I would go back

to the ‘old technology’, that is, connect the printer using a cable. The problem was that having scrambled under the desk to find the printer-end of the cable, barked my knuckles, ricked my neck and dislodged a powder keg of sneeze-inducing dust, the illustration on the DVD site bore no relation to the back of my printer. When I did find a hole to take the cord end, I was told, unsympathetically, by my computer screen that a ‘connection could not be found’. I wasn’t pleased.

“I think you should have a scotch and calm down.”

“How can I? We’re going away in two day’s time and this has to be fixed by then!”

I tried, once again, to connect the Wi-Fi but again I failed even after turning everything off and on a few times. I was getting desperate.

I turned on both Herself’s laptop and the little notebook we take away with us when we travel. After they went through their start-up shenanigans, I became a bit nervous.

I looked at the bottom bar to find the internet connection bars. I right clicked the icon to read “No internet connection”.

I was on my third scotch by the time the techo had fixed my stuff-ups.

“I suppose they told you just to follow the DVD!” The words “wood duck” scrolled before my eyes.

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27 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Mistakes are out of this world

Y best photo of the recent lunar eclipse looked like an eclipse of an eclipse. The moon was hugely spectacular, a full glowing disc, deep rusty rose in colour, with a brilliantly sunlit sliver cupping its lower flanks.

An opaque sliver similarly cupped its upper hemisphere.

Strange! Then I remembered that while I’d been busy focussing the camera, a possum had crashed down onto the thin springy branches of an overhanging eucalypt. At the time I was more worried about kangaroos grazing nearby, half-expecting them to bounce in my direction and send the tripod flying. I didn’t notice what the possum had done to my photo until much later, when I saw it enlarged on a big screen. What a scallywag! And what a glorious eclipse!

Learning about eclipses stands out in my mind as one of the most exciting and important-seeming things I learnt at primary school. After all, didn’t Aristotle, back in 300-and-something BC, use a lunar eclipse to demonstrate that the earth was spherical?

Nobody who saw the trace of the earth’s shadow as the moon passed through it could doubt that for a second.

I’m guessing that sort of thing is not taught in schools any more. Media coverage of the April eclipse was so riddled with misconceptions, errors, dodgy grammar and half-truths that we were left utterly bemused. If the science journalists and editors are so confused, what hope have the readers got?

The following gems were sampled from an article posted online by the Age (April 4 2015): • “The moon is expected to disappear behind earth on Saturday night when a total lunar eclipse occurs …” Oh dear. I’ve been under the impression that Old Moonie sets every day.

• “The moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, but also 400 times closer to earth, meaning they appear the same size in the sky during an eclipse ...” What has this to do with a lunar eclipse?

• “… if you’re in Queensland it will occur an hour earlier ...” Really?

• “During a solar eclipse

our place

By MARILYN MOORE

the sun … is much further from the earth, which makes it harder to see than a lunar eclipse.” I can’t believe I just read that! Are we on the same planet?

• “When did the first lunar eclipse occur?” Certainly not in 2094 BC, as implied.

• “As sunlight passes through the earth’s atmosphere it is refracted and the … violent part of the light spectrum is filtered out.” That would explain the gentleness of the reddish colour suffusing the moon’s surface, I suppose.

• “The earth casts a shadow … across the moon as it orbits into the sun-earth.’ Orbits where?

The Age can’t wallow in all the glory. Science Alert also deserves some recognition: • “(The Moon) appeared as both a total lunar eclipse and a blood moon, simultaneously.

To achieve these twin-states …” That’s like saying a man in a purple beanie might appear, at a given point after dusk, to

be simultaneously wearing a brown beanie. Drivel!

• “(The moon) remained in totality – which means you can see the entire circle of the moon before it’s covered up by shadow again – for just nine minutes …” Total rubbish!

And did this reporter even watch the eclipse?

Even the experts got it ever-so-slightly wrong. Prior estimates of the duration of totality ranged from five to 12 minutes – NASA’s estimate was 00hrs04min43sec – yet, somewhat surprisingly, they were all wrong. There was no totality. A sliver of sunlit moon, peeping out from earth’s shadow as it almost completely covered the visible lunar surface, never disappeared. It started out near eight o’clock on the dial then moved slowly anticlockwise around the perimeter to near four o’clock before the shadow began its slow retreat. Never “total”, but superlatively fascinating nonetheless.

I constantly make mistakes – we all do – but hopefully I don’t make such a hash of the things I’m paid to get right.

Which, of course, doesn’t include this column!

Warrandyte Health

You’re in safe hands PAUL J. GILLING REBECCA VAN DER JAGT B.Sc, B.AppSc, Grad Dip Manip Therapy MAPA

Warrandyte Physiotherapy Centre 2 Trezise Street, Warrandyte 9844 1566

Member of Manipulative Physiotherapists Association of Australia

Tragic tale of two toilets ARRANDYTE is quite well serviced by public toilets.

There is the stone blockhouse above the bridge. Jock Macneish (himself an architect) refers to as a Frank Lloyd Wright rip-off. Then there are the alpine-themed buildings at strategic points along the river track and beside the skatepark.

Knowing the whereabouts of these amenities and the distances between them is vital knowledge for we octogenarian prostate cancer survivors.

Toilets were always of interest for those of us in one-teacher schools; they had to be regularly cleaned and disinfected, holes dug and the contents buried; all the teacher’s job.

One colleague boasted of an obliging farmer neighbour who was cajoled into excavating a row of ready-to-fill holes with his post-hole digger. We had no such luck.

Our school was built on a sandstone ridge and pick and shovel had to suffice.

The school’s tool kit didn’t even run to a crowbar.

The year 1956 had been an outstanding rain year, with record creek and river

heights and far-reaching floods. Lake Hindmarsh, at the tail end of the Wimmera River, overflowed into Outlet Creek and on to Lake Albacutya. By 1960, when we arrived, Albacutya was still full and there was still plenty of water around.

The brimming lakes attracted water birds by the thousand; they also attracted campers, picnickers, fishermen, duck hunters and learn-to-swim clubs; even an annual water carnival.

“We’d better get some decent dunnies down at the lake this year. Those hessian and bush timber contraptions we rigged up last year just aren’t good enough.”

“No, not after that sudden wind gust showed the whole district the colour of old Mother Malone’s knickers!”

“We could always hoist those two dunnies from the school out at the Ten Mile.

They’re in perfect nick. The Department put new pans in ’em a week before the school was officially closed.”

“Shockin’ waste of taxpay-

ers’ money…”

“Who do we ask?”

“I dunno. Public Works Department. District Inspector.

I dunno…”

“We’re only borrowin’ the damned things. We’d have ’em back by the Monday…”

“I’d say they’d be considered Common Property.”

“In the Public Domain.”

“Anyone’s…”

“So we’re Entitled.”

“Precisely!”

And so it came to pass that these three local businessmen, who fondly believed they ran the place, staggered out of the pub, staggered to the five-ton truck that was parked by the kerb, staggered into the driving seats and roared off down the road towards the Ten Mile.

The old one-room school looked forlorn and neglected in the moonlight. Perched either side of the building – girls and boys kept primly apart, sheltering within their modesty fences of redgum and corrugated iron – were the two toilets – officially known as ‘Out Offices’.

“They’re still fully charged with toilet paper.”

“We used old phone books when I was at school.”

With crowbars and hammers they made quick work of prising the little buildings

off their stumps and onto the back of the truck.

“What’ll we do with these?”

Meaning the shelter walls.

“Leave ’em there. Maybe then no one will notice the dunnies have gone.

Fond hopes.

“What are you blokes up to?”

The whole area was bathed in light: truck, half-loaded buildings, shame-faced removalists. Their interrogator was Jack Watkins, last president to the Ten Mile School Committee. He had a shotgun tucked under one arm.

“What are you doin’?”

“Nothin’.”

“Much…”

“Borrowin’ the toilets for the water carnival. We’ll have ’em back by Monday.”

“Sunday night, even.”

“Well, they better be. Otherwise there’ll be trouble.”

The little toilets were successfully transplanted to the lake. The carnival was a splashing success. But early the following morning a galeforce wind blew up, sending breakers scurrying across the normally tranquil waters. The ill-secured toilets went crashing to the ground: smashed beyond repair.

There was trouble.

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28 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Knitting scarves for soldiers from 2pm-4pm. Purchase all your local natives.

Creative circle

Budding artists, crafters, poets, knitters, water colourists, writers or anyone with a creative passion are invited to come along to the Warrandyte Library for a chat and share your work and enjoy the creative pursuits of others. First Thursday of the month, 2-3.30pm. 168 Yarra St, Warrandyte. Ph: 9895 4250. Don’t book, come along.

JOIN the ladies of Warrandyte, knitting warm scarves and beanies for our soldiers serving overseas. The scarves will go into care packages that include books and sweets. Carole Adins (pictured) said it is great fun knitting again after 30 years. Your scarves and beenies can be left with Andrea at the Warrandyte Library.

Contact Andrea on 9895 4250.

CFA auxiliary

Want to help the North Warrandyte CFA Auxiliary, but don’t see yourself on a fire truck. Come along and support our dedicated band of volunteers in the amazing services they provide. We meet at 7.30pm on the last Wednesday of the month, at the CFA station. For more information please email: pete_suzanne64@ bigpond.com

War and Warrandyte

Warrandyte Historical Society is holding an illustrated talk about its World War I exhibition during Manningham’s Heritage Festival in May. Find out who enlisted from the then small community of Warrandyte, how the community responded and the outcome for families. Thursday May 14 at 2pm in the Old Post Office Museum, 111 Yarra St. Bookings essential. Ph: 9844 3086 or email whs. secretary@hotkey.net.au. Cost $5.

artyfacts

Morning tea

Come along to the Warrandyte Neighbourhood House, 168 Yarra St and support this wonderful fundraising event for cancer prevention, research and support services. Bring friends and family and enjoy good company and delicious home baked goodies. Open to all. Thursday May 28 at 11am. By donation. Bookings essential on 9844 1839 or admin@ wnh.org.au.

Mosaics workshop

Embrace your creative side with an introductory mosaic workshop.

Materials, tools, notes and lunch will be provided. An experienced and friendly teacher will guide you from idea to finished piece. A oneday workshop on Saturday June 20, 11am-4.30pm at the Warrandyte Neighbourhood House, 168 Yarra St. Cost $150. Bookings essential.

Phone 9844 1839 or email admin@ wnh.org.au.

Volunteering

Volunteering in Manningham (ViM) seminar. 10am-Noon Wednesday May 13. Doncaster Templestowe Room, MC2, 687 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster.

Bookings essential on 9856 1539.

Info Warrandyte

Volunteers wanted three hours a week within school hours. Information Warrandyte is a resource and referral centre covering areas such as tourism, health and social issues.

Support, legal and tax assistance, local groups and courses. Your contribution will make a difference. Call 9844 3082.

Ona & Syd Prayer

Warrandyte and Park Orchards churches are combining for a service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This will be held at the Warrandyte Catholic Church off Cemetery Rd, on Sunday May 24 at 7.30pm.

June 12. June & Don Hillmans Secret Beach, Sunday June 28. Andy White & Band of Gold, Sunday July 26. BYO food platter welcome. Band donation appreciated. Inquiries: 9844 3567 after 4pm weekdays. RSL Club rooms, 113 Brackenbury St (enter from Mitchell Avenue).

Sausage sizzle

Ryan Smith will be turning a sausage for Yarra Warra Pre-school this Saturday May 16, 12.30pm-2pm, to help raise funds to buy new equipment such as iPads for the kinder.

Grand gigs

AGM

Warrandyte Mechanics Institute & Arts Association Inc. invites you to its AGM on Monday May 18 at 8pm in the hall. WMI&AAInc fosters the arts in the community and maintains the hall for community use. Active groups include the Warrandyte Theatre Company, the Pottery Studio Workshops and a craft group. New ideas and people, especially with an interest in music and the visual arts, would be most welcome.

Movie night

Movie, wine and cheese. WarrandyteCAN will show The Wisdom to Survive. The film features thought leaders and activists in the fields of science, economics and spirituality.

Climate change is taking place. How can we live creatively and joyfully in the face of this change? Mechanics Hall on Thursday May 21 at 7.30pm.

In memory of Popsy Bone. Gone but not forgotten. (8/5/2014).

Tom and family.

Landcare

Andersons Creek Landcare will be planting at Gold Memorial Rd car park on Sunday May 17, 1-3pm. Come along and give nature a hand. Tools provided. Sturdy shoes and weather gear recommended. Contact Fritz on 9846 2442 for catering purposes.

RSL gigs

The RSL Bands by the Bridge famous live music sessions are adding the second Friday of the month to their calendar. The Scrimshaw Four, Sunday May 31, Ruff Kharma, Friday

Commencing 8.30pm. Electric Intent, Friday May 15. Long Gone Daddys, Friday May 22. Peter Grant, Friday May 29. Threezacrowd, Friday June 5. Long Gone Daddys, Friday June 12. Also, every Thursday night from 8pm, Harry Healy will be playing in the Public Bar.

Jumping Creek

Community tree planting and nature care event on Saturday June 6, 1pm-3pm, followed by refreshments.

Tools provided, bring sturdy shoes and weather gear is recommended.

Contact Tracey on 0403 739 938 or myln@netspace.net.au for catering purposes.

FOWSP

Have you visited your local nursery, Friends Of Warrandyte State Park?

Come along on Thursdays between 9.30am and 12.30pm, or the first Saturday of each month from 9am-1pm and the first Sunday of each month

Open studio, May 2 & 3, 9 & 10, 125pm. Celebrating our joining 100 years of art making. Or by appointment on 9712 0393. Cnr. Of Hendly and Oxley Roads, Bend of Islands.

Melways 24 F1. Paintings, drawings, prints and cards.

Take Away

Denise Keele-bedford and Anne Hastie of Warrandyte present a range of paintings and mixed media installation entitled Take Away. Both artists have created a variety of artworks reflecting their individual art created in China. May 2-31, Kreislery Gallery, 242 Victoria St, Brunswick. Not done Yet is a reflection on their time spent in China. Saturday May 23 at 2pm.

Publicise your coming events. Items for Buzz about Town are welcome. Include full details of date, place and time and post to: Warrandyte Diary, PO Box 209, Warrandyte VIC 3113, or email briony@warrandytediary.com.au

DIARY ADVERTISING WORKS CALL BRIONY 9844 0555

Tame fire season … for now

By LAUREN MUELLER

THE fire season has come to an end with not many incidents around Warrandyte this year, so we were very lucky.

Even so, many predict fires will get more frequent and more intense with climate change. The connotation that climate change will warm the entire globe is somewhat of a misconception, though just as many dispute that. In fact, although many average temperatures are increasing around the world, the climate change trend will see more defined boundaries between areas of differing climates.

Some areas will get drier as their

typical rainfall is shifted to other locations, resulting in an opposite and often equally devastating outcome for areas now prone to flooding and in some countries typhoons. We have seen an example of this in action with the recent flooding in NSW. Many parts of Victoria, including Warrandyte, are expected to get much drier. The increase in CO2 in

the atmosphere actually results in faster growth of vegetation, which means that leaves die off faster creating more fuel on the ground; this is why fires are likely to increase.

Though some won’t agree, I believe the long-term solution to this is not to administer more prescribed burns. The bushland around Warrandyte is already burned too frequently for what is healthy for the ecosystems and it is struggling to keep up; the bushland is losing old growth trees with hollows for habitat and the soil seed bank cannot keep up, therefore missing generations of plants which could eventually

lead to extinction of some important indigenous species.

A long-term solution to this is to decrease our carbon emissions and restore the planet into balance.

There are many ways, big and small that we can reduce our individual carbon footprint.

It is going to take each individual to make an impact.

We can’t solely rely on politicians to make this change; we need to take control ourselves and do what we can for a world that keeps giving to us.

What are your thoughts? Please feel free to write a letter to the editor.

Everyone in Warrandyte reads the Diary For local advertising that works call Briony on 9844 0555

29 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

By CHERIE MOSELEN

A COLLECTION of poems by Diary poet Karen Throssell was launched last month at Warrandyte Café.

Introduced by Warrandyte author and award-winning poet Carmel Macdonald Grahame, Motherhood Statement is Karen’s fourth published anthology.

The late afternoon sun and relaxed atmosphere among a group of about 40 family members, friends and fellow writers, lent an ideal backdrop to the introduction, which deemed the poetry “unquestionably warm”.

Carmel spoke of Karen’s success in “addressing this great theme of mothers and daughters” by way of “celebrating, without idealising, her mother”.

Motherhood Statement, a beautiful anthology supported by significant photographs, is a “love song” to all mothers and an homage to a particular mother, Eileen Dorothy Throssell (nee Jordan).

Individual poems were revealed as floating on a deeper, more complex story: “The submerged more of life, the interface between the personal and the political.”

In setting the scene, Carmel said: “The times in question are the context against which the personal significance of each poem rests, weightily. We are made aware as we read, of the political and intellectual background, the so-recent history, against which Dorothy Jordan lived her life as student, philosopher, activist, wife and mother – in this country.”

Readings included the politically charged Deciphering Code, which dropped listeners into the suspect political landscape of Australia in the ‘1950s and Reasons for Feminism One and Two, a revelatory conversation between mother and daughter.

The latter poem casts the domestic shape of a shy and serious woman, who undertook guerrilla warfare training in the Dandenongs in the 1930s, topped philosophy at Melbourne University in the 1940s

Tall Poppies Along The Yarra

Poetry in motion: Karen Throssell and Carmel Macdonald Grahame share a poem from

Poetry praise and was accused of being a Russian spy in the 1950s (and exonerated).

Carmel referenced Dorothy Jordan’s Tips For Better Homes and Gardens, a poem that makes plain it is the heart and mind that matters most to Dorothy, (“Love is more important than money”; “Poets and Philosophers change the world – not politicians or priests.”)

For all its sincere advice, this poem

A Tiny Window

is humorous (“Men seem to need a lot of sugar”; “Beware all god-botherers and sky pilots.”) and lighter in tone. Carmel found the emotional range of the work to be one of the achievements of the collection.

“Sometimes this daughterly voice is apologetic, just as often, the voice we encounter is one of deeply meaningful gratitude from a feminist daughter. But it would be a mistake

Not young, but un-lined, long-haired The youthful uniform – Bonds tee – shirt , brown

Before the blur of Gran (school plays , birthday lists And fraught daughter bail-outs) -- she’s got a tiny ‘window’ To be herself, the one she, that earnest student sought Escape suburban strait-jacket.

* There’s a woman drawing on the beach Wants to be taken seriously

She looks stern, like the debris of sea- litter behind Or is she determined, focused

In a world where mums are not And House-wives ‘honour and obey ‘

Maybe sad, the drawing a distraction Taking time to day- dream, to think of lives unlived

* There’s a woman, drawing on the beach An artist, bohemian, her own person

She loves her kids, don’t get me wrong But they were never part of her plan

There is a woman drawing on the beach Beautiful, in a wild mermaid way

This, a small clutch at the life she dreamed – After the suck of motherhood (hug-me-tights and baby talc)

It was all ideas, change, living your beliefs Not lemon-fresh cleanliness, and Good on Ya Mum

* There’s a woman drawing on the beach What is this life she could have had?

to expect exclusively earnest poetry here - it can be ironic, light-hearted, funny,” she said.

Carmel also commended Karen on the collection’s “scrupulous honesty”.

Accessible poetry and highly relatable, Motherhood Statement can be purchased for $20 from Warrandyte Café, Warrandyte Neighbourhood House or Eltham Bookshop.

A sunlit studio in the Cross Paris even, where her muse may live Lovers yes, if she found the time Good for inspiration and for keeping out the cold No cooking, she eats in smoky cafes where There’s music, philosophy, lots of red

* There’s a woman drawing on the beach Late sun glints on her drifting hair The drawing’s near finished, enough of solitude She stretches, listens to the evening’s call: A drink on the verandah with her man Time with her kids, whom she loves Shan’s lit the fire, Bill’s cooking tea and There are three hugs waiting KAREN THROSSELL

The Last Confederate Ship At Sea launched DURING the American Civil War the Confederate raider CSS Shenandoah docked in Melbourne. Despite the officers being wined and dined by the local elite, a political storm erupted due to illegal recruiting of Australians for the crew. At one point, the ship was surrounded by police and troops.

Such an event inspired Warrandytian and Diary cartoonist Paul Williams to write a novel in 1990 about these events.

While researching, Paul discovered a previously unknown love affair had taken place between the captain and a woman prisoner taken from a destroyed Yankee vessel. The Shenandoah Affair was published by Hodder & Stoughton

in 1992. “Since then, six history books have been written about the 13-month cruise, which saw over 30 Yankee ships destroyed,” Paul told The Diary.

“The attractive lady prisoner always received a prominent mention, but as my novel was semi-fictional, the love affair was ignored by historians, unaware it had actually taken place.”

In recent years, Paul discovered the captain was blackmailed by a petty officer who knew of the love affair. That caused him to sail the ship back to England, without orders, despite threatened mutiny by the crew. The ship was the last reb-

el unit to surrender, and the only Confederate vessel to circumnavigate the globe.

“As the affair had historic significance, I realised the time had come to write a fully documented history book about the cruise, including both the love affair and blackmail.”

The Last Confederate Ship at Sea is published by American academic publisher McFarland & Co and is available from Amazon. com and other channels worldwide.

Paul also has another book being released later this year, Custer and the Sioux, Durnford and the Zulus. Stay tuned for more information.

THE release of the free eBook Tall Poppies Along The Yarra comes at a time when there is increased interest and activity along the Yarra River: the state government is developing a Yarra River Protection Act; an image of aboriginal elder William Barak has already been displayed at the top end of Swanston St and bridge-builder John Monash is being celebrated in this centenary year as a war hero.

The authors have a passion for the Yarra and its people. Dr Ron Amor is a retired agricultural scientist and Churchill Fellow. His wife Pat Gibson-Amor is a social science graduate and former Industrial Relations consultant.

Their book applauds the lives of 13 high achievers associated with the river. One is Ian Penrose of Warrandyte, the first Yarra Riverkeeper. For the past eight years, Ian has campaigned vigorously to preserve and improve all aspects of the river he loves. Water quality and quantity, damage to the riparian vegetation and preventing inappropriate developments near the river were his particular concerns.

The people were chosen from different locations along the river and because of their varied achievements, national origins, early lives and personalities. They also represent various periods from the past to the present. All were motivated to serve the community in some way and many to conserve the river and its valley against progress.

But for this book, many of their stories might be forgotten.

Aboriginal elder William Barak compromised with white settlers as he pleaded for his people’s existence along the Yarra. English-born surveyor Robert Hoddle laid out Melbourne’s city grid while living in a tent on the Yarra bank. Melbourne bridge-maker John Monash took his lover there and agonised between her and his burning ambition to contribute to a world at war. Artist Neil Douglas defied convention and bureaucracy for the right to live in the bush at the Bend of Islands. Third-generation winegrower Guill de Pury has played an important role in maintaining the diversity of the upper Yarra Valley.

Other inspirational Yarra personalities featured are the co-founder of Melbourne John Fawkner, overlander and gentleman farmer Joseph Hawdon, botanist Baron von Mueller, entrepreneur John Wren, canoe builders Carl Sierak and Arthur Howard, environmental campaigner Len Allen and athlete and Governor John Landy.

The free eBook can be downloaded from www.smashwords.com.

Farewell to two respected long-standing residents obituary

By VAL POLLEY

IN March many Warrandyte residents would have been saddened to learn of the deaths of two of its well-known, long-standing residents, Ann Arnold and Ivan Fulton.

Ann Arnold was originally a student at Koornong School in the 1940s and always spoke affectionately of her time there. She and husband Kelson

(Kel) came to live in Warrandyte and Ann was a founder member of the Warrandyte Arts Association Music Group in 1955.

The Arnolds’ North Warrandyte home was burnt down in the 1962 bushfires that severely impacted Warrandyte. Their rebuilt house was designed by Robin Boyd and contained features to minimise the effect of future bushfires as well as a large music room. During the 1960s, Ann organised many concerts and entertainments which helped bring wonderful music to Warrandyte and hosted musical evenings; notable not

just for fine music but for good food and lively conversation.

Ann played piano and assisted in many events that remain in the collective memory. Who can forget such concerts as A Bush Christmas or the Bach and Handel Tercentary. Ann also taught music to many Warrandyte youngsters and will be remembered as an After school music teacher at the Warrandyte Primary School.

Ann’s full and productive life will be recognised in any history of the township for its contribution to the arts and music scene in Warrandyte.

Sincere condolences are extended to

her family and many friends within the community.

Ivan Fulton played a major role in the establishment of both the Warrandyte branch of the Bendigo Community Bank and the Warrandyte Community Retirement Housing Cooperative Ltd. Ivan, and wife Sandie, were residents of Magpie Lane for many years.

He was a generous and supportive man who contributed his wide experience and extensive knowledge to the inaugural boards of the bank and housing cooperative. He was prepared to spend his time and energy

in helping both boards achieve their objectives and it was a proud day when firstly the bank was opened and later the villas in Harris Gully Road occupied.

Ivan and Sandie moved to a family property in the King Valley in northeast Victoria some years ago but kept their ties with Warrandyte. His death resulted from injuries he sustained in an accident in early March while returning from a holiday.

Community condolences are extended to wife Sandie, his family and many friends.

30 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

In search of hairy-tailed marsupials nature

By LINDA ROGAN

LIGHTNING flashed and thunder rumbled as I jumped out of bed at 5.30am one April morning. This was the day I was privileged to participate in :the annual Brush-tailed Phascogale monitoring program.

The Brush-tailed Phascogale was the main target, two smaller relatives were also likely to be seen. These carnivorous marsupials belong to the same family as Quolls and Tasmanian Devils. Many members of this family have become greatly depleted due to human activities.

The excitement was palpable amongst the four rangers from Warrandyte State Park and three volunteers. Elliott traps were already mounted about eye level on trees spaced over several kilometres in the Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature Conservation Reserve through to the Everard block in Kinglake National Park.

This is the best opportunity to get a good look at some of the most endearing animals in our bushland. The time is chosen to minimise impact on these high-strung animals; it’s before the most frantic breeding time.

Significantly, the males and most of the females only live to mate one season. Cool autumn mornings will reduce stress for animals and traps are cleared before the heat of the day.

Ranger Jodie reminded us to take the usual caution required in the bush, avoiding holes, limbs and such. Importantly we were also reminded to be quiet around any animals we saw, a difficult task for me.

Expectation rose when we approached a trap with a closed door.

With skill and care a ranger removed the trap, carefully peering in to

Gotcha: Agile Antechinus captured in traps were checked, weighed and returned to a hollow log. The slender-tailed Dunnart was a bonus find for the day.

determine whether an animal was inside. Our first positive result was the mouse sized Agile Antechinus.

In fact, two were in one cage, a male and a female.

The Antechinus are the smallest members of the hairy-tailed marsupial family and if you can't see their tail, they look a bit like mice. Each marsupial captured was carefully weighed (in a cloth bag), checked for sex and marked with a white dot on its head in case of recapture of the same animal.

They were then released near a hollow log and disappeared quickly.

Traps were rebaited with peanut but-

ter, oats and honey. A small tube and a bit of coconut fibre were placed in the trap for the animal's comfort.

Traps were then re-positioned and a honey-water trail applied to the tree.

Several antechinus were trapped on this day.

By late morning, I knew I wouldn't see a Phascogale. Another treat, however, awaited. A special stop was made in Kinglake National Park to check for Dunnarts, another hairy-tail that spends its time on the ground.

Tiles had been placed on the hillside with a bit of wallaby-grass underneath for nesting material.

Ranger Cam was particularly keen to see what would be found here as Dunnarts are more commonly found after fire and none had yet been confirmed for this part of Kinglake since 2009. Here we were in luck. Two animals were found and a close look at the soles of their feet was needed to confirm species. A close-up photo revealed this to be the Slender-tailed Dunnart and a first recording for this area. For Ranger Cam, it was the most exciting find of the day.

By the end of the week, I learned that three Phascogales had been trapped on other days. This was good news especially since one, a

Hollywood comes to school THE red carpet was rolled out for a fun-filled night at Warrandyte High when the school’s parent association staged its annual fund raising trivia night.

For as long as anyone can recall, the big prize on the night has been won by a team of teachers, loosely known as the Science Table, even though a number of those teachers have retired or moved on to other schools or jobs and no longer teach science (or anything else for that matter). This year the science team decided to call it quits, opening up the contest to a new winning team.

Instead of competing, the retired teachers team offered to run the night for the school community. And a wonderful night it was.

The winning team, the DeVillans, were led by Year 7 and 8 parents Jo and Roland Hambleton, who kindly donated an auction item of a weekend at Devilla Cottages in Rye. With support from friends Jacinta, Ross, Traci, Kirsty, Toby, Sara, Pete and Barb, the DeVillans snuck in by one point.

It really was the luckiest win possible as they were the only team to include a hardened Star Trek fan, who knew the answer to a very obscure Trekkie question. Let’s face it, not many people know the name of Data’s ginger cat (Spot). Luckily, the DeVillans did.

Runners-up on the night were the Gaffers, with third place going to the Underbelly team. Other champs included Best Costume winners, Laurel and Hardy (Amanda and Gary Flewker-Barker, above), and the twin Audrey Hepburns (Larissa Morgan and Michelle Simpson, right). Over 100 guests enjoyed a variety of Hollywood-style games including Pin the Champagne on Kim Kardashian and throw a stiletto into the Gucci bag.

Thanks to the widespread generosity of many local businesses, who donated an amazing array of goods and services, the Parent Association will be able to support improvements to facilities for the Warrandyte High students. This was the final trivia night for organiser Alicia Eldridge who can’t wait for next year when she can attend without a single responsibility, except to focus on getting her table an Oscar.

healthy female, was found 750m within the burnt area of Kinglake National Park. This species has been in decline for decades but it is one of the few members of the family that can co-exist with human habitation so long as cats are excluded.

I have been told that some lucky Warrandytians have them living in their homes.

The area around Warrandyte is a core area for the future survival of these animals. I maintain hope to see this beautiful animal with its silky black, bottlebrush tail, a live Phascogale, in the future. When I do, readers will be sure to hear about it.

Italian Day fun at ACPS

CLAIRE BLOOM

For the love of reading at WPS WARRANDYTE Primary School Prep teacher Cathie “loves reading and books”, according to WPS principal Gill Binger.

“She is an inspiration for all at the school, always encouraging children and introducing them to new authors,” Gill told the Diary.

“She goes out of her way to encourage and inspire non-readers, and find the right kind of book to get children reading. Every year she encourages students to enter the Victorian government Premier’s Reading Challenge and is aiming for every child at the

school to register.”

Cathie (pictured with WPS students) believes that the love of reading needs to be established early in a child’s life, so this year she is providing a special story time for pre-schoolers.

During May and June, Cathie is inviting parents with their children to come and “have fun with books”.

Story sessions will be held in the school’s historical building.

Dates are Wednesday May 20 and 27 and June 3 and 10.

LATE last month school children at Anderson’s Creek Primary School celebrated everything italian including dressing up in italian colours of red, green and white.

All students receive tuition each week in learning the italian language by a fully qualified italian-speaking teacher, Daniela Catta.

On italian Day children were involved in learning italian dances along with participating in italian sports such as soccer and bocce.

There was also a fashion parade and a waiters’ race. Students also had the opportunity to order a special italian lunch from the school canteen and were served gelato from the gelato van at lunchtime.

The school was involved in activities for ANZAC Day last month.

31 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

DEBORAH BURNETT

Zen and the art of home maintenance

HOME maintenance – the inevitable, sometimes costly and ongoing task that is required of anyone with a home. Yes, renters are not exempt – bathrooms need cleaning, sinks occasionally need unblocking and floors need vacuuming.

I’ve appropriated the title of this piece (with a minor alteration) from one of the most important and influential books written in the past half-century, Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It is a powerful, moving and penetrating examination of how we live and a meditation on how to live better.

It struck me that we often resent the ongoing maintenance that we need to do to keep our homes operating as they should, whether it’s for reasons of cost, effort or time. Sometimes I feel as if I don’t have enough of all three and it all becomes a bit too much.

Cleaning is a real issue in many homes, for a variety of reasons.

Whether it’s because one person ends up taking on most of the daily stuff like cleaning and feels over-loaded; someone else doesn’t understand why tables filled with papers could get on someone’s nerves and yet someone else is fine with a vacuum every few months.

A friend made the observation some time ago that cleaning with mindfulness can almost be like a meditation (I think I read that somewhere too). I’ve tried to approach it like this, however, couldn’t quite bring it off while scrubbing the toilet. Clearly a failing on my part.

Fixing things can also be a source of conflict, particularly when one member of the household has no idea how to fix a leaking toilet, yet still insists on doing it. Once, a friend reported that the whole cistern needed to be replaced as it virtually exploded after one such attempt. I have no idea how that occurred and neither does she.

Ultimately, home maintenance is all about caring for something we value – paying attention to what’s needed, providing the nurturing and yes, love, to our homes. Most of us undertake the daily tasks of washing, cleaning teeth and brushing hair as part of our self-care.

Homes are no different.

When we moved into our current home, it was in a very sad state – it had clearly not been loved by anyone for years. A stove-top whose burners were literally welded together with years of cooking grease that not even a screwdriver could move; curtains stiff with years of dirt and grime; slate floors that appeared almost black with the buildup of dirt. Not a pretty picture.

After many months of full-on elbow grease, perspiration and lots of cleaning products, my home became a place where I could finally relax, feel safe to take off my shoes and enjoy the spaces and views.

Basically, I love-bombed the place until it finally relented and started to respond to my ministrations.

I think then that if we can adopt the mindset that home maintenance is about loving our homes as we love ourselves, then the doing can feel like less of a burden, even cleaning the toilet.

Contact Deborah Burnett, Home design coach, on 0408 027 781 or visit love-your-home.com.au.

Check out our video of Andrew’s amazing fire drums www.warrandytediary.com.au

Out of the dryer and into the fire With DEBI SLINGER

WHEN passing through a suburb with an imminent hard rubbish collection, nature strips strewn with no longer wanted household items, a common phrase “one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure” comes to mind. This term was coined in Hector Urquhart’s book written in 1860 - Popular Tales of the West Highlands.

Today it is has more relevance than ever as we seek to recycle, upcycle and repurpose everyday items into something new.

North Warrandyte resident Andrew Driscoll has been an avid repurposer for many years and recently one of his more popular creations has been his stunning fire drums made from old washing machine or dryer parts.

“I put one of my finished fire pits for sale on the Warrandyte Secondhand Page to see if there would be any interest and to my surprise it was sold within a day,” he told the Diary.

A few days later, Andrew posted again asking if anyone had any old machines or dryers they didn’t want and to his surprise was contacted by several people to pick up old machines so they could be transformed into fire drums.

Twelve months on, people now contact Andrew directly when they want to retire an old machine or dryer.

“Sometimes I get contacted randomly by a local who has seen one on hard rubbish and they let me know where to pick it up,” he said.

With plenty to keep him pottering, in his workshop Andrew enjoys his hobby surrounded by his quirky workshop in the Warrandyte bush.

“Each machine is different and I can repurpose and recycle most of the parts for scrap. Even the glass on the front of the machine can be upcycled into salad bowls.

“They are made of tempered glass so they are versatile as well.”

The fire drums are stylishly beautiful made of stainless steel, each drum slightly different to another.

Because of individual manufactur-

ing, some have more holes in the drums, others different rims and trims, even the bases differ such as the one made from an old trampoline base.

Andrew has been building and tinkering his whole life, rarely making things conventionally.

His home is an eclectic mixture of his creative talents. A couch made of pallets, recycled timber wine racks, wooden boxes storing firewood from timber palings. It’s a delight to explore the creative endeavours of someone passionate about finding ways to give a new life to an object that others see as having outlived its purpose.

“Some people draw, some paint, I enjoy creating through building.

It’s relaxing for me and a hobby,” he said.

Working with metal or wood, Andrew’s workshop is a collection of interesting odds and sods that may one day be made into something new.

“At the moment, I’m into making timber boxes.”

Andrew quickly learnt to think more strategically about what he offered after a recent post on the Warrandyte Secondhand Page.

“I’d come across a lovely piece of merbau and cut it thin to make coasters. I advertised six for $5 and suddenly I had 63 comments of people wanting six sets, two sets, four sets. I quickly realised that making five was easy but I only had this one piece of merbau and had to curtail what I was offering.

Andrew’s knowledge on the pallets is astounding. Which ones are hardwood such as yellow box and ash, whereas

others are from overseas and probably from rainforests in Indonesia.

“These days pallets can be just mulched and put into landfill because no one wants them, which is a real shame because some of the wood is beautiful,” he said.

The upcycle movement continues to grow within communities and Warrandyte has certainly demonstrated its adeptness in reinventing an everyday item into something that has a new life and purpose.

Hector Urquhart could never have predicted that his 1860 phrase would become a popular statement in today’s ever changing world.

If you’d like to donate a washing machine or dryer to Andrew, please contact him on 0432 326 658 or at Andrew’s Upcycled Designs on Facebook.

32 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Casey’s on the pace

By NICOLE HOWARD

CURRENTLY playing only his second season of representative basketball, Casey DeWacht’s selection in the Victorian Under 16 Men’s side may have surprised some, but not those at Warrandyte who have been fortunate enough to see him play.

Having just turned 15, Casey stands at 197cm tall and plays an up-tempo, athletic and physical style of basketball.

Playing for the Warrandyte Venom Under 16.1 Boys side under coach Nathan Marsh, Casey has become a Warrandyte Basketball celebrity to his young team and club mates.

Already a member of coach Beau Bentley’s Venom Big V Youth League squad, the young baller has taken the next big step with state selection on his road to potential stardom.

Chosen as just one of 10 athletes to represent Victoria, Casey has begun a rigorous campaign of training and practice games in preparation for the Under 16 Australian Junior Championships, to be held from July 4-11 in Ulverstone, Tasmania.

“The training environment is great.

Every single person pushes each other to get better and we go hard,” Casey says.

State straining has added an extra six hours to Casey’s already busy schedule of club basketball and schooling, including a 6.30am session designed to fast track his game in time for competition.

However, Casey is relishing the opportunity to further improve his game, ahead of the biggest basketball event of his young career in Tasmania.

“What I’m looking forward to most is putting my skills to the test against some of the best players in Australia and to really get out of the experience as much as I have been putting in,” Casey says.

In Australia’s competitive basketball environment, state selection is an extremely difficult path to navigate. Victorian clubs must first nominate their strongest players to attend tryouts in front of representatives of the state program and Basketball Victoria.

Casey immediately impressed head coach Rob Coulter at recent tryouts and is proud to declare his affiliation with the Warrandyte Venom and their role in his meteoric rise to a rep-

Youthful zest: Casey DeWacht in action for Youth Men and (inset) representing the state against Venom.

Main photo: GARETH DICKSON. Inset photo: JENNY TREWELLA

resentative of Victorian basketball.

Level headed and humble, Casey is held in high regard by teammates and coaches alike and is already serving as a terrific role model and aspirational figure to younger basketballers in his club environment.

As athletes and their families fund their state program involvement, the Warrandyte Venom and indeed the greater community have responsibility to rally behind Casey to support this incredible opportunity.

Community members have a per-

fect opportunity to do this on Saturday (May 16) at the Warrandyte Sports Complex.

Warrandyte plays host to a Big V double header from 6.30pm, featuring the Venom Youth League Men and Senior Men.

Double vision, twice the fun at Warrandyte netball

By MEAGHAN CROSS

IF you thought you were seeing double when watching the Warrandyte girls strut their stuff on the netball courts in Templestowe this season, you probably were.

Warrandyte Netball has two sets of twins running out to play each week (pictured right).

Ashlea and Olivia Cross are in the Under 15/1s (Taipans) and are identical twins while Meg and Evie Callow are in Under 13s/2s (Bullants) and are non-identical twins.

Meanwhile, Grace Carty and Eilish Kelly from the Warrandyte Netball Club’s Under 17/2s Leopards were brave and shaved off their beautiful long locks on Friday March 13 in support of the The World's Greatest Shave.

The Warrandyte Netball Club supported these inspirational girls hairspraying/colouring their hair for the first game back for the season last month it was a marvellous sight to see so many girls get involved.

The two girls raised over $900 on Saturday March 14 at the Templestowe Courts — a

Great effort: Grace and Eilish after shaving their long locks.

Photo: LARA McKINLEY

wonderul result to all those involved.

The Warrandyte Netball Club would like to congratulate Gabrielle (Gabby) Ryan on playing 300 games with our club. Gabby started with the club when she was only eight years old.

The Warrandyte Open B Tigers had a win on Saturday March 21 to celebrate this wonderful achievement against the Warrandyte Open B Hawks 40 - 34.

Good onya Gabby: Gabby Ryan (left, as an eight-year-old) has achieved 300 games with Warrandyte Netball. She was presented with flowers recently.

Mountain bikers are everywhere

By WENDY SNOWBALL

WARRANDYTE Mountain Bike Club has had a fantastic start to 2015, with a first participation in the Warrandyte festival parade, representation at the well-known Forrest Odyssey race, kids skills sessions in the school holidays and most recently, attending the Wombat 100 race at Woodend on the April 12.

Mountain biking is quickly becoming one of the choice outdoor activities in the Warrandyte community and the beginners’ skills course out at Westerfolds on April 2 was evidence of this.

Fifteen kids showed up for the morning with Courtney Snowball and Alastair MacDonald lending a helping hand.

Starting off with bike and helmet checks and a couple of foundation skills, the group moved into the tracks where the kids were all to eager to get riding.

The convoy of chirpy kids spent the next two hours learning how to corner through descending, ascending and tight little single tracks as well as a few little log rollovers. Inevitably, the group finished off with wheelie practices on the lawn and the obligatory Easter egg treat.

Juniors of WMTB club have also been going strong, with Kyle Donahue and Courtney Snowball attending the Junior State Development Camp in Bright over the weekend of March 28-29.

This camp is aimed at developing juniors who are aiming to follow national and international mountain biking pathways. MTBA (Mountain Biking Australia) have worked hard at developing junior pathways, to give passionate riders the best opportunities to improve.

Courtney, who has recently been racing XC in the national and state championships, stepped it up another level to 50kms events at Forrest Odyssey and Wombat.

Kyle is an active gravity enduro and downhill rider and is entering events whenever possible.

The Wombat mountain bike race in Woodend was a huge success for the club with over 20 members attending. Certain members worked their way up to Woodend on the Saturday afternoon to set up home base for the following day. A cool crisp autumn morning welcomed riders competing in the 100km event at 8am and the 50km event at 9am.

There was also a 75km stage, ridden by Sean Dixon, and a 25km race attended by certain junior members attended.

Tracks were in fine condition and dramas were at a minimum while racing.

Andrew Riley will need some new bike knicks after a lady crashed in front of him, leaving him unable to stop in time and going OTB (over the bars).

Meanwhile, Lance Ward was slowed down by gear troubles while competing in the 50km event.

On a more positive note, Shelley Knowles smashed out the 100km stage without completing any training and managed to stick with the likes of Richard Read, Martin Rostron and Paul Haas, with all coming in at similar times.

Also notable were the efforts of Brian John, who came fourth in his age category. Unfortunately, there was one rider missing at Wombat, Karina Vitiritti. Karina was struck down with illness on the eve of the races, forcing her to sit out. However, it didn't stop her from bringing her kids up to watch and be a part of the event.

Club members won several medals in categories across all distances.

Club awards and BBQ were necessary by the end of the day, feeding some hungry faces and giving out DM Cycle vouchers to club winners.

James Barnes in particular was given a pat on the back for his participation in his first big MTB race.

Kids and teenagers alike will have plenty more opportunities to have a go at racing over winter time with the VSCC and schools cycling championships just around the corner.

The club has local social rides every Wednesday night, leaving from the netball courts at 7.30pm and Sunday mornings 8am.

33 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Ask Mark Health & fitness advice

Strength training benefits Hi Mark, I have recently lost a lot of weight by doing quite a bit of cardio and eating healthy food and now want to star t some strength training.

What the advantages of strength training?

Tim, Warrandyte Hi Tim, here are 10 good reasons to start strength training.

One: Everyday tasks will become easier whether you’re picking up the kids or carrying the groceries in from the car, resistance training will give you the strength you need to carry out these tasks with ease!

Two: Improve your mood - it’s not just aerobic exercise that causes the brain to release feel-good endorphins. Strength training has also been shown to reduce stress levels, making it a great way to pick yourself up after a stressful day at work.

Three: Keep your heart healthy strength training is a great way to keep your heart healthy. A leaner body mass means a lower risk of heart disease.

Four: Boost your libido - resistance training is known to increase testosterone.

Five: Supercharge your metabolism - increasing your muscle mass helps to boost metabolism, so you can burn more calories even when you’re not working out.

Six: Lower your blood pressure research has shown that 12 weeks of resistance training resulted in a drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Seven: Improve bone density - studies have shown that weight lifting exercises are a great way to improve bone density, which results in a lower risk of osteoporosis.

Eight: Prevent injury - improving your strength can help to decrease your risk of certain injuries.

Nine: Reduce your risk of diabetes strength training can help lower your risk of Type 2 Diabetes by causing your muscles to use more glucose for energy, which can lower blood sugar levels.

Ten: Catch some zzzzz’s - while exercise in general has been shown to help with a good night’s sleep, studies show that weight lifting in particular can lead to an even better night’s sleep.

Powerhouse: Casey Lee-Handley is achieving goals in her body building pursuits. Picture supplied.

Ready for world champs

By MICHAEL DI PETTA

THE remarkable growth newly accredited professional bodybuilder and Warrandyte resident Casey Lee-Handley has undertaken is about to reach unprecedented heights.

Recently selected to compete at the world championships after success at the INBA Southern Cross Natural Bodybuilding Championships earlier this year, Casey’s rapid rise to the pinnacle of the sport was certainly not predicted when she began her bodybuilding journey in 2012.

“To go from being an amateur in 2012 to reaching the highest level possible in just three years is amazing and it’s not something I could have expected. I’ve managed to reach that goal and it’s awesome,” Casey says.

Indeed, bodybuilding was never in the script for the Warrandyte fitness enthusiast from a young age.

A self confessed “fierce competitor”, bodybuilding came about as a result of her involvement in personal training.

“I have a background in swimming and gymnastics and 15 years ago I discovered weights, which changed my body in a way I never thought possible,” Casey says.

“Through my love of fitness I went

on to become a personal trainer, which was great as I could share my passion and help others develop their goals. It was through talking to other trainers that I got into bodybuilding.”

The decision to commit to bodybuilding has proven extremely fruitful for Casey, who only just recently secured her professional status after progressing through a series of events, beginning in 2013.

To reach the recent INBA Elite Qualifier, the first of its kind held in Australia, Casey first had to win an open amateur event, which she did in 2013.

“Winning the open event gave me eligibility to compete against 15 other girls in the Southern Cross Natural Championships, in which I came third. Finishing in this position earned my pro athlete status,” Casey says.

Training and preparation now begins for the world championships in Dubai on June 13, the first time the Middle East has hosted the competition. For Casey, who employs a rigorous training schedule, it’s business as usual heading into the event.

“I’m currently training five days a week, with a combination of high intense cardio and heavy weight

sessions targeting all major muscle groups. Considering I’m only three weeks post my last competition, it’s all about maintaining my condition.

“A bit closer to the champs, I’ll be able to eat up a little bit while I can, and then shred back down a couple of weeks out,” Casey says.

“Our planning is important, we will be heading over on the 8th of June, five days before the event, so that there is time to settle in, get food prepared and find the right gym.”

A real go-getter, Casey sees no reason she can’t go one further than the world champs and aims to attend Natural Olympia in Las Vegas this coming November.

“From the INBA/PNBA point of view, Natural Olympia is where all athletes come together. It’s the ultimate goal for me, it’s always held in America once a year, and from an athletes standpoint it’s even bigger then the world champs.”

The glitz and glam of Vegas are certainly a far cry from Casey’s now home suburb of Warrandyte, where she has regularly been seen training on Gold Memorial Rd. The importance of routine and a solid foundation are elements Casey attributes greatly to her success.

“It’s great having my partner Drew to support me, he’s rock solid, does cardio with me and makes sure I get the right food.

“Routine is really important, being consistent and having a strong structure.”

Casey, who trains at Spartans gym in Kilsyth, urges any Warrandyte members interested in bodybuilding to chat to their local PT or check out her webpage at: facebook.com/CaseyLeePNBA FigurePro

34 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Beware the Bloods

By MICHAEL DI PETTA

WHICH side, if any, can stop the run of red-hot Warrandyte? EFL’s Division 4 has been dominated by the Bloods through the first five rounds of the season, showcased most recently with their demolition of Donvale by more than 120 points on the weekend.

Sitting on top of the ladder with five straight wins, Warrandyte sports an unrivalled percentage of 242.06.

While the Bloods have certainly played some attractive football, crucially, they have also displayed the necessary grit and determination it takes to be a genuine flag contender.

An emotionally charged 24-point victory on ANZAC Day against Kilsyth did not come without its difficulties and the Warrandyte backline showed plenty of resolve to quell a potential Forest Hill revival in Round 4.

Away at Donvale, who are yet to record a win despite playing patches of good footy, the result seemed obvious before the game had began. However, the home side was determined to change the script and a dogged first quarter had Donvale within four points of a slightly complacent Blood’s outfit.

In the second quarter, the Warrandyte we’ve quickly become more accustomed to through the early stages of this campaign began to get back to playing good football. Terrific play from skipper Tom Naughtin, leading from the front and providing the spark his side required, was complemented by a noticeable shift in tempo with Warrandyte forcing the issue and going forward relentlessly.

Donvale was unable to muster any real response to the Warrandyte surge and trailed by 33 points at the half.

The resistance appeared to have been broken in the second quarter and that proved to be the case as Warrandyte didn’t look back after the long break. Intense midfield pressure and intelligent defensive spacing gave Donvale no opportunity to create clear scoring chances.

Conversely, Warrandyte were able to open the floodgates and an explosive 10-goal last quarter had Warrandyte forwards running riot.

Most dangerous were young gun James Appleby, who put through five majors for the afternoon, and star full forward Luke Dunn who

Brothers in arms: The Bloods line up for a minute’s silence on ANZAC Day (top right) while coach Michael Tout revs up his troops. Meanwhile, Anne Drew and currently injured senior key player Lee Evans celebrate a special tribute to Lee “Smokey” Tindale at the new stadium. Photos SCOTT PODMORE

played his best game of the season in booting six.

Donvale was overrun significantly and the final margin ballooned out to 123 points after the home team failed to record a second half goal, falling 3.8.26 to the Warrandyte’s 22.17.149 at the final siren.

The most emphatic start to a season has been a team effort, and one that can be partially attributed to certain key acquisitions and player performances.

The pairing of the aforementioned Dunn and key Vermont import Ashley Froud has paid instant dividends up front, creating a match-up headache for opposition defences who seem unsure which player to focus on as the key target.

The pair has kicked 38 majors between them through the first five

games of the campaign, and although Dunn may not be booting the bags he delivered in 2014, the Bloods attack is more potent with a shared and less predictable set-up.

Furthermore, the addition of former Airport West premier division midfielder Chad Gauci has added a noticeable element of class to the Warrandyte outfit.

Gauci’s disposal efficiency, decision-making, physicality and game sense are all proving invaluable to the Bloods and has drawn rave reviews from seasoned supporters, with some calling him the best player the club has seen in the past five or six years.

A trio of tricky fixtures against the Eastern Lions, Nunawading and Coldstream, placed fourth, fifth and third respectively, will serve as a genuine

test for the Bloods in coming weeks and their reputation as the team to beat in the division this season.

The Warrandyte reserves have also started the season strongly, sitting in second place with four wins, including a ridiculous 173-point blowout against Donvale and a solitary loss at the hands of undefeated Forest Hill (word is that largely could be attributed to up to eight regular team members missing that day).

The Warrandyte reserves and Forest Hill reserves seem destined to be competing for top sport throughout the season’s progression and the next fixture between the two sides looks set to be a blockbuster.

Meanwhile, the Under 19s have also started the season in good nick, sitting in second place after three wins, a loss and a bye.

The 19s have been handicapped with a number of injuries, making their league position all the more impressive through five games. Dangerous small forward Campbell Prior copped the worst of the blows, suffering a broken collarbone in Round 2 against Ferntree Gully which will see him sidelined for at least five to six more weeks.

Remarkably, Campbell still managed to go back and convert a crucial major despite the shattered collarbone, which proved to be very instrumental in a three point Bloods win.

All three Warrandyte teams play host to the Eastern Lions in a big game at Warrandyte Reserve this weekend, with maximum points required to keep the early season momentum going.

Dee-termination pays dividends

By MICHAEL DI PETTA

WARRANDYTE’S resident swimming star Dee Sheffrin has collected four gold medals at the recent 40th National Masters Swimming Championships.

Held in Hobart, Sheffrin dominated the breaststroke events in the women’s 55-59 age group, winning gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m races.

In the relay, Dee (swimming butterfly) and her team went one better, smashing a national record by 15 seconds.

For the Doncaster Dolphins swimmer the success was extra sweet after a turbulent 2014 swim season.

“I had to have shoulder surgery two years ago and so last year was a bit average, things were just going a bit wrong, and I wasn’t at my best in the pool. But the masters this year was a real turnaround, so naturally I was really happy,” Sheffrin said.

The dynamic swimmer also finished fifth in the individual medley and fourth in the 50m butterfly, a remarkable achievement considering the reasonably recent surgery.

“Since I’ve had the shoulder surgery, butterfly, although I can swim it, has been tougher, I’ve got some work to do there and I’m not sure it will ever be as good as it was.”

Even if the butterfly may not be at its best, the breaststroke evidently remains unaffected, a welcome reality for Dee as it has been her biggest strength in the school, even from a young age.

“I’ve always been good at breaststroke, ever since I was a child. In England we all used to be taught breaststroke first, unlike Australia and America where children are taught freestyle first, and it just came naturally for me.”

When not in the pool, the multi-talented athlete runs local business Dee-termination Health & Fitness from the Uniting Church on Taroona Avenue.

With a background in nursing, Dee focuses her classes and training on wellness coaching, as well as offering pilates classes three times a week.

“I had a big career change in 2010 when I started training as a personal trainer. I received my Cert 4 in fitness and gradually began to give up nursing. Now I educate people of a wide range of ages, from 20-70, on a healthy lifestyle and injury prevention.”

Wellness coaching serves as one of Dee’s most beneficial initiatives. The program is based around helping participants reach goals in a manageable and measurable way.

“Wellness and health coaching is aimed at teaching people how to recognise the issues and obstacles stopping them reaching their goals.

We set small goals rather then big target goals so that we are actually achieving things along the way, whether its gaining confidence through going to a community fitness group, or overcoming a health issue step by step,” Sheffrin explains.

Anne Marie’s ultra good run WARRANDYTE’S Anne Marie Reid ran the Quinn’s Post 150km marathon around the southern section of the Canberra bicentennial trail, finishing second in the women’s run during the ANZAC Ultra Marathon events in Australia’s capital early last month.

It was Anne Marie’s seventh “ultra” and her longest run yet, however she hopes to run 160km in the future. Her marathon raised money for legacy in commemoration of 100 years of ANZAC. Each marathon was named after a place at ANZAC Cove.

As Anne Marie discovered (pictured above), for nearly a week Major Hugh Quinn, of the 15th Battalion, Queensland, held a vital and precarious position against fierce Turkish attacks. Quinn, from Charters Towers, was killed here on in May 1915 while preparing for another attack against the Turks. He is buried in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery.

35 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015

Five of the best: Riley Thompson, Ben Munks, Max Thompson, Abbey Caldwell and Nick Sharpe.

Athletes fire at Stawell

By ED MUNKS

THE iconic 133rd running of the 2015 Woolworths Stawell Gift at Central Park was held over Easter and featured various handicap races from 70 metres to 3200m.

In a throwback to a bygone era, there were string lanes on grass tracks, officials resplendent in their maroon jackets, white shirts and wide-brimmed hats. The retro stylings of the weekend evoked age-old memories of stars such as Eric Liddell, Jackson Scholz, Charlie Paddock, Harold Abrahams and Jim McHugh.

Several young Warrandyte athletes made the four-hour journey to the fabled prize-giving event.

In the MacDonald’s Little Athletics section, Under 16 star Nicole Reynolds ran a strong fast race in wintry conditions to claim fourth place in the 100m event. Nicole also ran a warm up in the 400m and was 13th overall. Fellow U16 competitor Eilish Kelly competed in three events with a magnificent ninth, collecting the prizemoney in the 800m final. Eilish

also finished fifth and fourth in her respective heats of the 400m and 100m races.

Ben Munks featured in four events and earned prizemoney for coming a close second in the prestigious 1600m event, just edging out training partner Riley Thompson. Ben also ran in the 100m and was fifth in his Foxtel televised heat, and second in his heats of the 400m and 800m events.

Emily Sharpe also ran in the 800m and despite a tough handicap, claimed a sixth in the final.

Abbey Caldwell also ran in two events, but as she was faced with a stiff handicap after winning a gold medal at the recent nationals championships, she could not catch the leaders and finished 31st in the 1600m. After the event coach Peter Sharpe said all the athletes ran superb races and he was looking at a bigger contingent of runners for 2016.

In the junior section, Jarrod Castagna (2014 U17 100m handicap winner) ran in two races for the

Craig Mair coached stable, but just missed the finals in the 70m and 100m events.

His coach Craig also backed up himself for a 70m final and the veterans semis and just missed the gift semis by a quarter of a metre.

Cam Dunbar, Yarra Valley Grammar School sports teacher, was favoured to make the nationally televised final of the 100m blue ribbon event.

Unfortunately handicappers were unkind and Cam finished the campaign with a second in his semi-final.

The popular event also featured a fashion parade, betting ring and kids entertainment activities.

In other news, Nicole Reynolds has been invited to accept a place in the AIS U17 development squad in Canberra, aiming to compete in the world youth championships in 2016 in Russia.

In Division 1 of the EISM, Emily Sharpe, representing Luther College, ran up four age groups into the Under 20s and sensationally won three middle distance gold medals in the 1500m, 400m and 800m events.

Jacko went bang!

Warrandyte Junior Football Club’s Under 12s star Tom Jackson sinks the boot into a big kick deep into the forward line during a Yarra Junior Football League match recently. Photo: ROSS SNOWBALL

Bloods champs rewarded

By RYAN HOIBERG

FOLLOWING the most successful season at the Warrandyte Cricket Club in 31 years, it was certainly a happy time down at the club awards night where achievements were celebrated by a large array of the community.

Recapping a season in which Warrandyte's premier team took out the Wilkins Cup, awarding them promotion to the Trollope Shield for the first time in 15 years, stand out achievements from younger members of the team were recognised.

The standout player of the season was first year player/coach Jake Sherriff. Sheriff, according to a points system used throughout 160

years of the club’s history, had the third-best season on record.

The incredible achievement was capped off by a nomination from Cricket Victoria as a local player of the season across all competitions.

Appropriately, Sherriff took home the Jack McAuley Memorial Shield as the First XI Club Champion and was joined by David Molyneux as the Darryl Valentine Award winner as the Cricket of the Year (lower grades).

Sherriff’s medal tally would grow, taking home the Steve Pascoe Medal, the first of his career, awarded via a Brownlow style count across all grades in a 3-2-1 system. The Pascoe Medal has become highly sought at the club, held in similar

merit to the Allan Border Medal at the highest level.

Sherriff would also win the Gerald Walsh First XI Medal (Most Votes in First XI) and the Bowling Award for the First XI with 54 wickets at an average of 11.04.

Noted throughout the night was the remarkable maturity shown by a young squad, led by captain Chris Barry and Sherriff. Barry, not renowned for his public speaking skills, impressed the audience with his eloquent and respectful acknowledgement of the road that was laid before him to make the achievement possible.

Barry took out the First XI Batting Award with a season of 515 runs at 39.62. Further, Ayrton Dehmel,

who was named the T20 Player of the Year and awarded the fielding award.

In the lower grades, the trend continued with the winner of the respective bowling awards across the Second, Third and Fourth XI also taking home the player of the year title from each team.

Mitchell Gaffney, Chris Jackson and Aaron Closs topped off great years with the ball to be named players of the season while captain Graham Rees was rewarded for his leadership, as he and his teammates took home the Rob Leguier Medal.

It was also refreshing to see younger members of the squad recognised for their continued growth

on the pitch, with Bailey Bowyer awarded the Maria McGhee Memorial Award as the best performing junior in a senior side.

Luke Killey took home the First XI Captain’s Award and Mark Baker the Second XI Captain’s Award. It truly highlighted the strength of the youth at the club and suggests the club will not have to wait another 32 years between drinks.

Congratulations to the men behind the scenes as well, as Greg Warren and Gaffney had their hard work off the field recognised by being awarded the Club Person of the Year and President's Award respectively.

Until next year.

Hawks sign off on three-flag year

By FRANS BROUWER

AS noted in the April Diary, the Hawks won flags in Veterans (O40s), U16s and U14s, and the First, Second and Third XI’s and U12s also reached finals.

On-field cricket for RDCA clubs ended in March, but presentation nights concluded the season officially on April 10. Hosted at the Grand Hotel Warrandyte, one of the club’s major sponsors, more then 80 members attended and celebrate another successful campaign.

There were several worthy candidates for Best Club Person (the Willman Family Award) and the winner was Simon Braunthal for his outstanding work with apparel, junior functions and communications. The Dunny Award (for chief stirrer) went to Adrian Smith.

The Scott Brasher Award for best First XI player and Bruce Templeton Award for best Second XI player (both as voted by players) were won by Steve Lindsay and David Mock respectively. The

Steve Garrett Club Champion Award also went to Lindsay. Other batting, bowling, team champion and other playing awards were also announced.

Due to a player wedding, the night had been pushed forward from the Saturday, causing it to clash with the RDCA presentation night. Two RDCA awards were already known – Cam Head won the A Grade batting and Kane Hartrup the F Grade batting. Late in the evening, news of a further award was received. Club champi-

on Steve Lindsay had won the Bill Wilkins Award for best player in Wilkins Cup – the second tier of the RDCA competition.

At time of publication, the club’s Annual General Meeting on May 13 was to be held. Scott Brasher retired from the committee after two seasons as president, and several seasons on committee as vice president, secretary and committeeman. However, his influence will by no means diminish, as he intends to spend more time with the Juniors and helping out be-

hind the scenes.

Stalwarts Virginia Fasan, Darren Johnson, James Price and Peter Sofarnos also announced their retirements. The club has been very fortunate to have such dedicated members over a number of years, but they feel it is time for others to step up, particularly First and Second XI players in their twenties.

Attention now turns to the offseason and the long wait ahead for another exciting Hawks season.

36 Warrandyte Diary

May 2015